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Foreign bodies that fall under the eyelid can be embedded directly into the cornea. Depending on the speed with which the body was moving and on the strength of its flight, it can penetrate to different depths. Such injuries are dangerous due to mechanical and chemical damage to the body of the eye and visual impairment. The level of danger depends on the shape and size of the body, as well as its exact location.
Causes of trauma
There are many reasons why foreign bodies enter the cornea. Most often, patients who do not follow safety precautions when working with various tools turn to ophthalmologists – lawn mowers, chainsaws, grinders, wood and metalworking machines. If the eyes are not protected by glasses, small particles of the processed material easily penetrate into them. In the same category, you can include motorcyclists and scooters who do not wear a protective helmet and goggles.
But this does not mean that all people whose activities are not related to the use of various tools are outside the risk zone. A strong and sharp gust of wind can raise small particles from the ground, which first fall under the eyelid, and then, bypassing the conjunctiva, penetrate the cornea. If contact lenses are stored incorrectly, eye injuries are also possible – foreign small objects fall on the plane of the lens, and then penetrate into the eye.
How not to make things worse
If you suspect that a foreign body has entered the eye, you should seek help from a specialist as soon as possible, who can determine the extent of the injury and choose the right treatment method. Avoid rubbing your eyes as this will further injure them.
You also need to try not to blink or close your eyes, this will also contribute to the penetration of a foreign body into the deeper layers.
It is strictly forbidden to use any medication without prior consultation with a specialist. If metal shavings have penetrated the cornea, then the substances that make up the drops can provoke its oxidation. Then rust will cause an inflammatory process.
The use of any folk remedies in this situation threatens with complications. You should not try to pull out the element yourself – a rupture of the cornea is possible, which will entail a complete loss of vision.
Symptoms of a foreign body in the cornea
Foreign bodies in the eye are not always noticeable, but there are a number of symptoms that indicate a problem. When the integrity of the epithelium of the cornea is violated, ideal conditions are created for the development of infection.
The nerve endings and vessels located in this zone are the first to react. It is their reaction that substantiates the signs of the presence of a foreign body in the cornea:
- painful reaction to light;
- eyelid edema;
- burning sensation in the eye, dryness, “sand”;
- lacrimation.
In cases where an injury to the body of the eye is accompanied by infection, an inflammatory process develops in a short time, provoking acute pain, severe swelling, and pus.
Diagnostics and first aid
A foreign body in the cornea can be seen by a specialist during a standard examination of the patient. But in order to determine the depth of penetration and the degree of damage to the organ, special equipment is needed – a biomicroscope.
In cases where multiple penetration of foreign elements into the cornea is established, the patient is referred for radiography and gonioscopy. These studies provide an opportunity to get a complete picture of the injury and exclude the presence of foreign bodies in the anterior chamber.
Before removing a foreign object, a local anesthetic is injected into the conjunctival sac. In ophthalmology, Dikain is most often used. If the body has not penetrated deep into the cornea, but is located on its surface, it can be removed with a cotton swab. Objects that are located in the upper layers of the cornea are removed with a special chisel or spear.
If we are talking about the ingress of metal particles, then a kind of rust shell quickly forms around them – it is also certainly removed by a specialist.
When the deep layers of the cornea are injured, a decision may be made not to remove the foreign object. Substances such as gunpowder, sand or stone do not cause allergic reactions and do not provoke an inflammatory process. Therefore, it is much more advisable to wait until they spontaneously rise up, then they can be removed without the risk of perforating the cornea or pushing a fragment into the anterior chamber.
If there is a pronounced inflammatory process, accompanied by the formation of pus, it is recommended to analyze the removed foreign body in order to establish the causes of the pronounced reaction of the eye tissues. For example, if it is determined that there were certain pathogenic microorganisms on the surface of a foreign body, the specialist will be able to choose the right therapy using drugs to which they are sensitive.
Recovery period
After removal of a foreign body from the cornea, restorative therapy is required, aimed at the rapid healing of damaged tissues and the prevention of infection. Complete regeneration of tissues is noted for 30-40 days. Throughout this period, special disinfectants are instilled into the conjunctival sac. The frequency of use is set by the attending physician. The first 7-10 days, an ointment of Sulfacyl sodium is applied under the eyelids.
If a foreign object was located on the surface of the cornea, then, provided that it is correctly removed, no traces and scars remain. But injuries to deeper layers provoke the formation of dark spots, which negatively affect visual acuity. It is impossible to accurately predict how serious the consequences of an injury will be – in this matter, much depends on the speed of emergency care. That is why in case of an eye injury or if an injury is suspected, you should contact an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.