Wash your hands with soap and water
Check if the object is a contact lens; remove it if you can do so easily
If there is a visible speck, try flushing it out with sterile saline or clean eyewash
If no saline is available, use clean, lukewarm running water to gently rinse the eye
Hold your eyelids open while rinsing to help wash out debris
Blink repeatedly during rinsing
If the object is under the upper lid, pull the upper lid outward and down over the lower lid, then blink, or rinse again
If you wear glasses, remove them before rinsing
Avoid rubbing the eye
Avoid using tweezers, cotton swabs, or fingers to remove anything stuck to the eye surface
Do not try to remove anything that appears embedded in the eye
Seek urgent care or emergency help immediately if you have severe pain, worsening redness, light sensitivity, vision changes, bleeding, a chemical exposure, or an object that is embedded or metal/wood/glass
Seek urgent care if the object does not come out after rinsing for 10–15 minutes
For chemical exposure: immediately flush with water or saline continuously and go to urgent care/emergency right away
After rinsing, use a clean, sterile eye patch only if advised by a clinician; otherwise keep the eye uncovered
If you wear contact lenses, do not reinsert them until cleared by a clinician