Dust trapped in an eye

[bannork]

Coming out of the shower on Saturday, I suddenly noticed a 'black object'out of the corner of my right eye. After a few moments I realised something must have entered my right eye and got trapped there. As I blink it floats around my eye, changing shape, like a single cell amoeba! It has a thin black film to it, like a grey thumbprint whilst the edges twirl like wisps of smoke. I went to a chemist who gave me some eyedrops and after 3 days it has improved, ie lifted a bit but parts remain.

Can anyone suggest a solution to bathe the eye in or something similar?

Thanking anyone in advance.

bannork.

[JohnC]

Rinse the eye with copious amounts of saline solution which should be available from most pharmacys

[attrayant]

Do you think this thing is on the surface of the eye or is it inside, floating around in the vitreous humor? How how are you seeing it - is it in your field of vision or are you seeing it when you look in a mirror?

Most of us have floaters which cause varying degrees of annoyance, but those are inside the eye and not on the surface. Your description of its behavior makes it sound like a floater. They can come about suddenly, after trauma (a blow to the head) or just something minor like vigorously shaking your head.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floater

Edited May 14, 2015 by attrayant

[Tywais]

Do you think this thing is on the surface of the eye or is it inside, floating around in the vitreous humor? How how are you seeing it - is it in your field of vision or are you seeing it when you look in a mirror?

Most of us have floaters which cause varying degrees of annoyance, but those are inside the eye and not on the surface.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floater

I agree that there is a good chance that it is a floater. You can go to an ophthalmologist or even an optometrist who can evaluate it to determine if it is a floater. Years ago, I woke up and had a large number of them so they can come up suddenly.

[userabcd]

About 15 years ago whilst outdoors, I looked up to the sky on a clear day and noticed some black spots in my vision. I quickly went to see an opthalmologist who diagnosed a tear in my retina, which he treated.

Suggest that you see quickly see an opthalmologist to check your eyes.

[Sheryl]

Agree, see an opthalmologist.

[bannork]

Do you think this thing is on the surface of the eye or is it inside, floating around in the vitreous humor? How how are you seeing it - is it in your field of vision or are you seeing it when you look in a mirror?

Most of us have floaters which cause varying degrees of annoyance, but those are inside the eye and not on the surface. Your description of its behavior makes it sound like a floater. They can come about suddenly, after trauma (a blow to the head) or just something minor like vigorously shaking your head.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floater

Thanks everyone for your swift replies and advice, I'd say it's definitely in the vitreous humor as it floats around, the wiki description fits it to a tee,looks like a worm or as I said, a wisp of smoke. Since I was a kid I've occasionally noticed what looked like hair follicles floating across my vision but never paid much attention, they were always transparent but this with its tints of grey of black is something different. It does seem to have decreased a bit since the weekend so I'll persist with the eye drops but if it isn't gone i'll go to an opthalmologist.

Thanks for all the recommendations.

[GaryB1263]

"single cell amoeba"

Maybe. See an Opto

[lopburi3]

See the doctor to be sure there are not other problems that may require treatment - as said floaters are common and many times just temporary and will go away by itself and if not your brain will not focus on them. A visit to MD is not that expensive and much better to find and treat than risk permanent damage. There are eye issues that can become serious without obvious signs or symptoms that we may notice - at least this is a valid caution and a good time to have an eye exam.