Conjunctival Foreign Body
- Nothing—but finding it depends on skilled eversion of upper lid
- Hunt for foreign body on corneal surface with penlight, loupe, biomicroscope
- Stain with fluorescein to find corneal abrasions
- If there is corneal foreign body, remove with wet cotton-tipped applicator
- Manage abrasion as suggested under Corneal Abrasion
- Evert upper lid to hunt for foreign body in pre-tarsal sulcus
- Remove foreign body with cotton-tipped applicator
- Inspect rest of conjunctival surface for foreign bodies
- Refer emergently to ophthalmologist if you cannot remove foreign body or if there is large corneal abrasion
- Most conjunctival foreign bodies will be evident on proper examination and can be removed with wet cotton-tipped applicator
