KIWI VETERAN OWNED AND OPERATED
0800 113 992

#AskPracMed – What do I do if there’s an object embedded in the eye?

Do not attempt to remove an object embedded in the eye. Cover the eye with an eye shield or cup to protect the object from being bumped or moved, then bandage across both eyes to prevent the uninjured eye from moving and causing sympathetic movement in the injured one. Get the person to hospital immediately, this is a medical emergency and requires specialist assessment. The temptation to remove the object is understandable but it can cause catastrophic additional damage.

Shop Eye shields

Eye Shield

Want to know more than the basics?

We run practical first aid courses nationwide — from Level 1 First Aid through to advanced prehospital care.

View upcoming public course dates
Enquire about private on-site training
Picture of Simon Carkeek

Simon Carkeek

Simon is a former NZDF Recon Operator and Patrol Commander with over a decade of service, including two deployments to Afghanistan, Solomon Islands peacekeeping, and humanitarian and disaster relief operations in Indonesia following the 2004 tsunami. Domestically, he responded to the Christchurch earthquakes and the Scotts Ferry floods. After service, Simon spent nearly five years in private contracting across Asia Pacific and the Middle East — working as a PSD Team Medic, Site Security Manager, and setting up medical clinics in austere environments where the nearest hospital was a long way away. He's a former action guy and a self-described meatball medic. He founded PracMed NZ because most first aid training wasn't preparing people for real emergencies. It still isn't, everywhere else.