Overview

Sometimes people feel like there is something in their eye. This is called a foreign body sensation. A doctor may not find anything wrong with your eye. If you had something very small in your eye, like a speck of dirt, tears may have washed it out. Or you may have a small scratch on the surface of the eye (cornea), which can make it feel as if something is still in your eye.

The doctor will check your vision and examine your eye. Your eye may be numbed with drops. Sometimes a drop of coloured fluid is put in the eye. This lets the doctor have a better view of the surface of the eye.

You may get drops to put in your eye after you go home. Or you may just need to watch for a change in your symptoms.

How can you care for yourself at home?

• Do not rub your eye.
• If the doctor prescribed eyedrops or ointment, use them as directed. Be sure the dropper or bottle tip is clean.
• To put in eyedrops or ointment:
  • Tilt your head back, and pull your lower eyelid down with one finger.
  • Drop or squirt the medicine inside the lower lid.
  • Close your eye for 30 to 60 seconds to let the drops or ointment move around.
  • Do not touch the ointment or dropper tip to your eyelashes or any other surface.