Case solved! Doctor says eyelashes that fell into the eye are still hidden in the eye

June 6 is the National Eye Care Day. Eyes are often called the "windows" of the human body. They are the only organs in the human body that can directly see blood vessels and nerves through instruments, and can even monitor the health of the whole body. This "window" of the human body is not only exposed to the sun and wind, but also to the "physical attacks" of mobile phones and computers. More and more people are using various eye protection products.

However, no matter how "sophisticated" the protection is, it seems that foreign objects cannot escape from entering the eyes. Have you ever had an eyelash fall into your eye and could not be removed? Where did the eyelash go? Can regular use of eyewash really protect your eyes?

In this regard, CCTV.com's "News+" column specially invited Tian Lei, deputy chief physician of the Department of Ophthalmology at Beijing Tongren Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University, to discuss issues related to eye health. The following is the transcript of the interview.

"News+" reporter: Where do eyelashes go after they fall into the eyes?

Tian Lei: If eyelashes fall into the eyes and are not removed in time, they may remain in our conjunctival sac. Generally, we turn down the upper eyelid, or pull open the lower eyelid, and look up hard to expose the conjunctival sac and see the location of the eyelashes that have fallen into the eyes.

As foreign bodies, eyelashes will not be dissolved or digested in the eyes under normal circumstances. They will remain in the conjunctival sac for a long time, wrapped by some secretions or conjunctival tissues, thus reducing the foreign body sensation. Eyelashes that fall into the eyes usually do not accumulate in the eyes for a long time or in large quantities. In most cases, they will be discharged with tears at the moment they fall into the eyes or soon after. If foreign bodies remain for a long time, it may cause inflammation or discomfort. It is recommended to go to the hospital for examination.

"News+" reporter: What should you do correctly if there is a foreign object in your eye?

Tian Lei: First of all, if a foreign body gets into the eye, whether it is sand or eyelashes, the last thing we should do is to rub our eyes immediately with our hands. Because if a sharp or hard foreign body falls into the eye, rubbing the eye hard may scratch the black eyeball or the white eyeball, that is, the cornea or conjunctiva. At this time, it is possible to blow the foreign body out by opening the eyes. We can also use sterile saline or eye drops to rinse. When rinsing, you can tilt your head slightly, and then drip the medicine from the nasal side to the temporal side. At the same time, the eyeball can be rotated, and the upper and lower eyelids can be carefully turned over. If the foreign body still cannot be removed, it is recommended to see a doctor as soon as possible.

"News+" reporter: Should the common eyewash solutions on the market be used regularly?

Tian Lei: It is not recommended to use eyewash regularly, because there is no clear evidence-based medical evidence to prove the safety of eyewash regularly. And when using eyewash, you must pay attention to the cleaning of the eye area. If you clean the eyelash roots and eyelids at the same time, it may bring dirt into the eyes.

In fact, the eyes have their own protection mechanism. For example, when foreign matter enters the eyes, it will cause tears, and tears are actually washing away the foreign matter. Because foreign matter enters the eyes, or there are some other eye discomforts, it is okay to use eyewash occasionally. It is okay to use a small amount, but it is not recommended to use it for a long time.

"News+" reporter: Should you use eye drops or artificial tears as soon as your eyes feel uncomfortable?

Tian Lei: There may be many reasons for eye discomfort, the most common ones are visual fatigue and dry eyes. We usually look at computers and mobile phones for a long time, which will cause eye discomfort. We can relieve it with eye drops, such as commonly used artificial tears or fatigue-relieving eye drops. The regular eye drops you buy at the pharmacy can be used according to the instructions. Under normal circumstances, use artificial tears to lubricate the eyes 3 to 4 times a day. If the eye discomfort has not been relieved after eye drops, it is not recommended to treat it with eye drops alone. It is better to go to the hospital for examination as soon as possible and treat the symptoms.

In addition, it is not recommended that you buy eye drops on your own and use them for a long time. Because some eye drops contain preservatives or other ingredients with side effects. They are fine for short-term use, but long-term use may cause corresponding complications.

"News+" reporter: Why do small transparent bubbles sometimes grow around the eyes?

Tian Lei: Sometimes we find transparent, oil-like bubbles growing around our eyes, especially at the base of our eyelashes. This is caused by blockage of the meibomian glands, which is clinically called meibomian gland dysfunction. This can lead to poor oil secretion on the surface of the eye, and the tear film on the eye remains for a short time, resulting in dry eyes.

If such small oil bubbles appear, we can use hot compresses, such as using a hot towel, a cup of hot water, or a steam eye mask to liquefy the oil and let it drain out automatically. If hot compresses do not solve the problem, it is recommended to go to the hospital for treatment. (Reporter/Yao Shuting)