Prevention of corneal damage due to foreign bodies

Monday, May 29, 2023 | 08:19:34

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When foreign objects fly, fall, or shoot into the eye, many people have the reflex to blink, rub their eyes, or buy medicine to treat it themselves, but this can accidentally cause eye damage. Many patients have had to be hospitalized at Thai Binh Eye Hospital due to improper handling and cleaning when foreign objects enter the eye.

Doctor Luong Tuan Thien, Head of the Line Guidance Department, Thai Binh Eye Hospital examines a patient's eyes.

Patient Tran Thi Trac had dust in her eyes and is being treated at the Department of Corneal Conjunctivitis, Thai Binh Eye Hospital. After examination, doctors diagnosed that the patient's eyes had foreign bodies in the cornea, inflammation, and a fungal infection. Patient Tran Thi Trac shared: Working on a chicken farm, when I caught a chicken, dust flew into my eyes, it was very gritty and uncomfortable, I did not dare touch my eyes but went straight to the commune health station to get examined and wash my eyes. After that, I went to Thai Binh Eye Hospital for examination and was diagnosed with a fungal infection in my eyes. Up to now, the doctor said that the condition has improved a little but the treatment process will take a long time.

Not only Ms. Trac, Thai Binh Eye Hospital regularly receives cases of foreign objects in the eyes, including cases of metal dust, insects... The condition of some patients when coming to the hospital is already serious due to improper initial treatment and hygiene. Some cases also follow folk experience such as: using grass buds, bamboo shoots to remove foreign objects... Mr. Nguyen Duc Mac, An Hiep commune (Quynh Phu) shared: At home, if there is water, I splash water on my face, but on the street, I use bamboo shoots, weeds to remove dust. Although I know that is harmful, I think bamboo shoots and grass buds are also soft.

Nowadays, due to the nature of their work, many people have to work in dusty environments. In addition, when traveling, people are also susceptible to insects, sand or other foreign objects flying into their eyes. Improper handling can cause further damage to the eyes and leave behind a loss of vision.

Dr. Luong Tuan Thien, Head of the Line Command Department, Thai Binh Eye Hospital, shared: We often encounter patients with corneal foreign bodies. Many cases of corneal foreign bodies come early, but there are also cases that are severe before going to the hospital, making treatment difficult, requiring long-term treatment, or even losing the eye. Corneal foreign bodies are common occurrences among people on the road, doing agricultural work, or working as mechanics. The reason for the disease to worsen is not going to a medical facility for timely treatment. When having a corneal foreign body, if treated early, it will be easy to remove the foreign body, and if medication is used promptly, the rate of complications is very low. However, when arriving late or buying medication on your own, the foreign body will cause bacterial and fungal infections to develop rapidly, making the disease more serious and difficult to treat.

There are many types of foreign objects, which can be caused by metal dust, rice leaves, lime, cement... shot into the eye. Each type has a different treatment. Doctor Luong Tuan Thien shared: When there is a foreign object in the eye, people need to go to the nearest medical facility for timely treatment, do not rub the eye, or remove the foreign object on their own. If due to objective factors, you cannot get there immediately, you need to wash with clean water or sterile saline (not saline used for mouthwash). Folklore often suggests using bamboo shoots or grass tips to remove them, but this is very dangerous because these tools can contain many bacteria and fungi. Putting them in the eye will create favorable conditions for increasing bacteria and fungi in the eye, making treatment very difficult. To reduce the risk of foreign objects getting into the eye, people who work in dusty environments, do welding, go on the road... should wear protective glasses. Depending on the nature of the job, they will choose the appropriate type of glasses. When having a foreign body in the cornea, people need to wash their eyes and go to an eye specialist. Do not remove the foreign body or buy medicine without a doctor's prescription.

Hoang Lanh

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