How to Get a Speck Out of Your Eye: Home Remedies & When to See a Doctor

Medically reviewed by Theodore Leng, MD

Last Updated: April 8, 2024 Fact Checked

At one time or another, you will likely get a speck in your eye that needs to be removed. This can be uncomfortable, but in most cases you can take care of it at home. Particles such as sand, makeup, eyelashes, or dirt in your eye can typically be removed at home without the need for medical assistance, unless the speck scratches something in your eye or gets embedded. In this article, we’ll show you the best ways to remove a pesky speck yourself, plus when it’s time to see a doctor. Don’t wipe up those tears—you’re going to need them to clear your eye!

Things You Should Know

Try to make your eye water or manually remove the speck with a cotton swab or your lower eye lashes.
If that doesn’t work, try flushing your eye with water, saline solution, or a sterile eyewash liquid.
Bandage your eye and see a doctor if you suspect you have a scratch, infection, or puncture in your eye from the speck.^{[1]
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Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Taking Care of the Speck

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1
Make your eye water. When there is a speck in your eye, the best and most natural way to get a speck out of it is to make your eye water. It might do this on its own since it is irritated, but if it doesn't, try blinking rapidly and frequently to make your eye water. Your natural tears will help flush out your eye and may pull out the speck.^{[2]
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- Do not rub your eye to make it water. Whatever foreign object you have in your eye could damage your cornea or get embedded in your eye.^{[3]
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2
Look for the speck. If your tears won't get out the speck, you need to identify where the object is. Ask a friend or family member to look for it in your eye. Hold you eye open wide and have them look for the speck as you look around. Make sure you look up, down, and side to side so they can see all the areas of your eye.
- If you can't find it at first, you may need to pull down your lower lid and check under there. You can also hold open your top lid and check there are well. The speck might get stuck on the back of your lids.
- If you are by yourself, grab a mirror. Hold your eye open and move it around and look for the speck as best you can.
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3
Use your lower lashes. Eyelashes are made to help remove specks from your eye. Pull your upper eyelid over the top of the lower eyelid. As you close the upper lid over the bottom lid, roll your eye. The eyelashes of the lower lid may be able to brush away the speck from your eye.
- Try this a few times if it doesn't work right away. If you can't get it to work, however, you can try other methods.^{[4]
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4
Remove a speck with a cotton swab. If your eyelids didn't help, you need to remove the speck with a cotton swab. Look for the speck placement on the white part of your eye. Wet the end of the cotton swab with water. Hold your eyelid open with one hand and gently remove the speck with the tip of the cotton swab.
- You can also use a clean washcloth or a soft, damp towel if you don't have a cotton swab.
- If the particulate is on the cornea (the non-white portion of your eye), do not use a cotton swab to get it out. The cornea is very sensitive and you may damage it.^{[5]
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5
Flush out your eye with water. If you can't get the speck out with a cotton swab or the speck in on your cornea, flush your eyes out with water. Have someone else gently pour a glass of room temperature water over your eye from the nose outward as you hold it open with two fingers. Check to see if the speck is removed after it is flushed once. If it isn't out yet, flush your eye one more time to try to remove the speck.^{[6]
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- If you are by yourself, try a slower, gentler method such as an eyedropper or smaller cup of water.
6
Try saline solution. If you don't have access to clean water or you want to try a different method, try flushing your eyes with a saline solution. Take the saline solution and drop a few drops into your eye. If that doesn't get the particle out, try a few more drops.^{[7]
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- Eye drops or artificial tears work the same as a saline solution. While holding your eye open with one hand, tilt your head back and squeeze several drops of eye drops into your eye to remove the speck.^{[8]
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7
Use an eyewash. You may have access to a sterile eyewash, a product that is available over-the-counter from a drugstore or pharmacy. The solution will come with a sterile eye cup that you can use to flush the affected eye with the solution. To use the eyewash, fill the cup halfway with the eyewash solution. Bend over the cup and press it tightly against your eye so that it doesn't spill. Then, tilt your head backwards and open your eye. Roll your eye around in the socket to thoroughly rinse.^{[9]
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- Make sure you wash the eye cup after each use.^{[10]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Seeking Medical Attention

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Bandage your eye. if you are unable to remove the speck from your eye, put a bandage over your eye and seek medical attention. Also see a doctor if flushing did not get the speck off of your cornea. If you keep trying to get it out, you may end up scratching your eye or hurting your cornea. Covering your eye will reduce the amount of light your eye is exposed to, making you more comfortable until medical attention is sought.
- You can also cover it with a towel or soft cloth if you get an appointment immediately after your cleansing methods fail.^{[11]
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2
Look for a scratch or ulcer. If you manage to get the speck out of your eye but it still feels like something is in there, you may have a scratch or ulcer on your eye. You may also have a corneal abrasion if the speck managed to scratch the cornea area of your eye. All of these conditions may cause pain, irritation, and blurred vision. If this happens to you, see your doctor as soon as possible.^{[12]
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- The best way to know if you have a scratch or ulcer is to get a doctor to check it. There is a special solution of yellow fluorescein that the eye doctor will drop into your eye that will pinpoint any scratch or ulcer you may have on your eye.^{[13]
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3
Use antibiotic ointment or eye drops. If you do have a scratch or ulcer, your doctor may prescribe you an antibiotic ointment or antibiotic eye drops to help heal it. These will also help prevent infection from settling into the scratch before it can heal.^{[14]
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- Always seek medical advice before using any kind of ointment on your eyes.^{[15]
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4
Be aware of puncture. If you think the speck in your eye might have caused a puncture, seek medical attention immediately as this condition is an emergency. There may be serious damage done to your eye if you do not get it treated right away. The object may become embedded underneath the eye surface.^{[16]
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- You may need surgery or a non-invasive procedure to remove the object from beneath the surface of your eye.^{[17]
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Tips

Wash your hands before removing any foreign object in your eye. Rinse your hands well so you don't further irritate your eye with soap residue from your fingers.^{[18]
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The best way to avoid eye specks is to wear coverings over your eyes for protections. Eye protection such as goggles should be worn when you work in construction, while playing sports, while around chemicals that can splash into your eyes, or any time there is flying debris.^{[19]
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