Table of contents:
- What happens when your eyes wink?
- How do you get rid of eye winking?
- 1. Wash hands first
- 2. Use a mirror
- 3. Gently remove foreign objects from eyes
- How to prevent the eyes from winking
Eyes are organs that help you see the beauty of the outside world. However, it is not uncommon for your eyes to experience problems that can interfere with your vision and comfort. One of them is eye condition.
What happens when your eyes wink?
Winking is a situation where there is a foreign object that enters the eye, ranging from eyelashes, dust, dirt, and other small particles.
Usually, the foreign object will affect the cornea or conjunctiva of the eye. The cornea is a transparent layer that protects the pupil and iris, while the conjunctiva is a thin layer that covers the entire white part of the eye and the inside of the eyelid.
The condition of the eye wink is usually not harmful to health. Most people can easily remove the foreign object in their eye, or they will pass through the tears on their own. However, it is possible that these foreign objects can scratch the cornea of the eye, requiring special handling.
According to the Mayo Clinic website, you should be aware of twinkling in the eye and seek medical help immediately if any of the following conditions exist:
- You have trouble getting the foreign object out of your eye.
- Foreign objects attached to or located in the inner eye.
- You experience changes or disturbances in your vision.
- The pain, red eyes, and eye symptoms persist for more than 24 hours, even when the foreign object has been removed.
How do you get rid of eye winking?
Some people may reflexively rub their eyes when there is a foreign object in the eye. In fact, proper handling is needed so that the eye condition does not get worse.
Here are some safe steps to get rid of winking at home:
1. Wash hands first
You never know what bacteria or germs are stuck on your hands. The eyes are sensitive organs, so they are prone to infection from bacteria that can move from your hands.
Therefore, wash your hands before dealing with eye winking. Make sure you wash with clean running water and soap.
2. Use a mirror
To find out where the foreign object is in your eye, you can look through the mirror.
The easiest way is to look up and down, then left and right.
3. Gently remove foreign objects from eyes
If you have found the location of the foreign object that is causing the twitching in your eye, you can try dripping with sterile saline solution or artificial tear drops.
When your eyes are wet, blink a few times to remove the foreign object. You can also use clean water if a saline solution or eye drops are not available.
If the object is still in your eye, gently pull on the upper eyelid to let the object come out. If your eyes are free of foreign objects, clean and dry the area around the eyes gently.
Another way you can try for winking eyes is to soak your face in a basin of water. Then, blink slowly repeatedly while you soak your face.
Avoid using tweezers, cotton bud, or any solid object to remove the foreign object from the eye. The reason is, these objects actually risk injuring your eyes and aggravating your condition.
If you have tried the methods above but the foreign object is not successfully removed from your eye, seek medical attention immediately. While waiting, protect your eyes for a while with the following steps:
- Limit the movement of your eyeballs.
- Cover your eyes with a clean bandage or cloth.
- If the foreign object in the eye is too large (such as broken glass), cover the eye with a paper cup.
- You should also cover the other eye that is not blinking. This is to prevent unnecessary eye movement.
How to prevent the eyes from winking
You can also protect your eyes by preventing them from being exposed to foreign objects. Good prevention will keep you from disorders that can threaten the health of your eyes.
Always use eye protection when in a work environment that is filled with dust or small particles that have the potential to enter the eyes, for example, in a windy, dusty or damp place.
Not only does it protect the front of the eye, a good eye protection must also protect the side of the eye. Ordinary glasses are not sturdy enough for eye protection when in a high-risk work environment. Use special glasses (goggle) which has side guards.
