Metal in the Eye? Don’t Wait in the ER — See an Eye Doctor Immediately
Eye injuries happen fast — especially when working with tools, grinding metal, mowing the lawn, or doing shop work.
But what you do next can make the difference between a quick recovery and permanent vision damage.
Recently, a patient came into our office and said something we’ll never forget:
“I wish I knew you were here five hours ago.”
She wasn’t being dramatic.
She had a piece of metal stuck in her eye for three days.
A Metal Eye Injury That Started in the Workshop
This patient was working in her shop and kept bumping into a pole. Eventually, she became frustrated enough to grind it down.
While using the grinder, a tiny piece of metal shot into her eye.
This is one of the most common workplace and DIY eye injuries we see:
Grinding accidents
Welding debris
Metal shavings
Construction dust
Yard work projectiles
At first, she assumed it would come out on its own.
But it didn’t.
The Dangerous Mistake: Trying to Remove Metal from the Eye at Home
After a couple of days of discomfort, she tried to remove the metal herself.
She even attempted to use a magnet.
🚨 Please never do this.
Trying to remove a foreign object from your eye with:
A magnet
Tweezers
Cotton swabs
Fingernails
Tools
can cause serious harm, including:
Corneal scratches
Infection
Eye perforation
Permanent scarring
Vision loss
If you think something is stuck in your eye, it is always safest to see an eye doctor immediately.
Why the Emergency Room Isn’t Always the Best Place for Eye Injuries
After three painful days, she finally went to the Emergency Room.
She waited nearly five hours.
The ER staff examined her and confirmed:
Yes, something is in the eye
You need an eye specialist
And then they referred her to our office.
That’s when she said: “I wish I knew you were here five hours ago.”
Is It the ER’s Fault? Not at All.
Emergency Rooms do amazing work.
They are trained to treat life-threatening emergencies such as:
Heart attacks
Strokes
Severe bleeding
Major trauma
But eye injuries require very specific equipment and training.
Think of it this way:
👉 You wouldn’t go to your eye doctor if you were having a heart attack.
And the ER is not fully equipped to remove metal from the eye.
Eye doctors are.
Why You Should See an Eye Doctor for a Foreign Object in the Eye
Eye doctors have specialized tools that emergency rooms often do not, including:
High-powered microscopes
Corneal foreign body removal instruments
Rust ring removal tools
Eye-specific antibiotics and drops
Expertise in protecting vision
When you come directly to an eye doctor, you often receive:
✅ Faster treatment
✅ More accurate diagnosis
✅ Proper removal
✅ Less risk of complications
Metal in the Eye Is a Serious Eye Emergency
A piece of metal in the eye is not something to ignore.
Metal foreign bodies can quickly cause:
Severe pain
Redness and tearing
Light sensitivity
Blurry vision
Infection
Within hours, metal can also create a rust ring, which can permanently damage the cornea if not treated.
The longer the metal stays in the eye, the more difficult it becomes to remove safely.
Common Symptoms of Something Stuck in Your Eye
If you experience any of the following, you may have a foreign body in the eye:
Feeling like something is stuck
Sharp pain when blinking
Excessive tearing
Red eye
Sensitivity to light
Blurry vision
Swelling
Scratchy sensation that won’t go away
If symptoms last more than a few hours, do not wait.
What NOT to Do If You Get Metal or Debris in Your Eye
Here are the biggest mistakes people make:
❌ Rubbing the eye
❌ Trying to dig it out
❌ Using magnets
❌ Waiting days for it to “work itself out”
❌ Using tools or tweezers
❌ Ignoring worsening pain
These actions can cause deeper injury.
What You SHOULD Do Instead
If you suspect metal, dust, or debris is in your eye:
✅ Rinse gently with sterile saline or artificial tears
✅ Keep the eye closed if painful
✅ Avoid rubbing or pressure
✅ Call an eye doctor immediately
Prompt treatment can prevent permanent vision loss.
Emergency Eye Care in West Georgia
At West Georgia Eye Care, we treat urgent eye injuries every day, including:
Metal in the eye
Corneal scratches
Foreign body removal
Eye infections
Workplace eye injuries
Sudden eye pain
Light sensitivity
Our goal is to protect your vision and get you relief as quickly as possible.
Don’t Spend Hours Waiting — Call an Eye Specialist First
If you believe something is stuck in your eye, especially after grinding, welding, or yard work, don’t wait.
The right care at the right place can prevent:
Long ER waits
Unnecessary pain
Infection
Corneal scarring
Permanent vision damage
We are here when eye emergencies happen.
And we’d much rather hear:
“I’m so glad I came here first.”
Call West Georgia Eye Care Today
If you have an eye injury or foreign object in the eye, contact us immediately for prompt care.
📍 Serving Carrollton and the surrounding West Georgia area.