Our eyelids and eyelashes usually keep objects (or foreign bodies) such as dust out of the eye, but sometimes things get through. More to Know To prevent damage to the eye, any object that isn't washed out right away by tears must be removed. The foreign body can be removed from the eye either with irrigation (washing with water) or a small sterile instrument. A harmless dye (fluorescein) is usually applied to the eye's surface to help the doctor see the object. This dye temporarily stains tears, nasal drainage, and sometimes the skin around the eye. Keep in Mind For 24–72 hours, someone who has had a foreign body removed from the eye may continue to feel like there's something in the eye, have slightly blurry vision, or be sensitive to light. This happens because an object sometimes leaves a small scratch on the eye's surface, which the doctor can see with the fluorescein dye. Symptoms usually improve overnight, but can last a few days as the scratch heals. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Back to Articles Related Articles Eye Injuries You can treat many minor eye irritations by flushing the eye, but more serious injuries require medical attention. Read More Eyes Although your eyes are small, their structure is incredibly complex. Find out how they work in this body basics article. Read More Eyes The eyes are small compared with most of the body's other organs, but their structure is incredibly complex. Learn more about eyes, vision, and common problems with both. Read More Glasses and Contact Lenses Sometimes the different parts of the eye don't work together the way they should. When this happens, people wear glasses or contact lenses. Find out more in this article for kids. Read More Pinkeye Pinkeye is the most common eye problem kids can have. It causes redness, itching, inflammation, and pus to collect in the eyes. Read More Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis) Pinkeye, or conjunctivitis, is the most common eye infection affecting kids. Learn more about pinkeye and how to prevent it from spreading. Read More Pinkeye (Conjunctivitis) Conjunctivitis, commonly called pinkeye, is an inflammation of the tissue covering the eye and inner surface of the eyelid. Read More Styes A stye is a backed-up oil gland in the eyelid. Styes are usually easy to get rid of, but there are some things you can do to help. Learn more about styes. Read More Styes A stye is a backed-up oil gland in the eyelid. Styes are usually easy to get rid of. Read More Taking Care of Your Vision Even if you're lucky enough to have perfect vision, taking care of and protecting your eyes is vital to keeping your peepers perfect. Learn all about how to take care of your baby blues (or browns or greens) in this article. Read More Your Eyes Ever wonder how your eyes work? This article for kids takes you from the pupil to the retina and beyond. Read More Corneal Abrasions Corneal abrasions, which are common among kids, happen when something gets into the eye. Though sometimes painful, they're rarely serious and usually heal within a few days. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.