What should be done if a tick gets into the eye? - briefly
Remove the tick immediately using fine tweezers, grasping it as close to the mouth as possible and pulling straight upward without squeezing. Rinse the eye with sterile saline, apply a topical antibiotic, and obtain professional medical assessment promptly.
What should be done if a tick gets into the eye? - in detail
If a tick becomes lodged in the ocular surface, act without delay. First, refrain from rubbing or applying pressure, as this can cause additional trauma or embed the parasite deeper. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water before attempting any manipulation.
Locate the tick with a bright light. Use fine‑point, sterilized tweezers or a blunt‑ended ocular forceps to grasp the tick as close to the surrounding tissue as possible. Pull steadily in a straight line, avoiding twisting motions that might detach the mouthparts. If the tick is adherent to the conjunctiva, a small amount of sterile saline can be applied to loosen the attachment before extraction.
After removal, irrigate the eye with sterile saline or balanced salt solution to eliminate residual debris. Inspect the site for remaining fragments; any retained mouthparts may provoke inflammation or infection. Apply a sterile ophthalmic antibiotic ointment or drops if available, then cover the eye with a clean patch to protect it from further irritation.
Seek professional medical evaluation promptly, even if the removal appears complete. An eye‑care specialist will assess for corneal abrasion, conjunctival injury, or secondary infection, and may prescribe topical antibiotics, anti‑inflammatory agents, or tetanus prophylaxis when indicated.
Follow‑up care includes monitoring for redness, pain, blurred vision, or discharge over the next 24–48 hours. Report any worsening symptoms immediately. Prevent future incidents by wearing protective eyewear in tick‑infested areas and performing regular body checks after outdoor activities.