What should you do if a patient has a metal splinter embedded in the globe of the eye?

• A. Leave his contact lenses in place and cover both eyes
• B. Attempt to remove the foreign object if there are visual disturbances
• C. Remove his contact lenses and irrigate his eye with water
• D. Administer a narcotic analgesic for pain

Answer: (A)

When a patient has a metal splinter embedded in the globe of the eye, the primary concern is to prevent further injury and reduce the risk of complications such as infection or additional trauma. Covering both eyes helps to minimize movement and the risk of further damage, as movement of the unaffected eye can cause movement in the affected eye as well, potentially worsening the situation.

Leaving contact lenses in place could be misleading; typically, contact lenses should be removed in case of eye injury. However, in this scenario, not removing the contact lenses avoids the potential for additional harm that could occur during removal and helps maintain the integrity of the eye during transport to a medical facility.

Immediate attempts to remove foreign objects without proper tools and expertise can lead to increased trauma and should be avoided. Additionally, administering analgesics is not a primary intervention and does not address the critical need for stabilization and expert treatment for the embedded splinter.

Therefore, covering both eyes while leaving the contact lenses in—if they were already in place—can be a precautionary measure pending professional medical evaluation and care.