What should I do if there are stones in my eyes?

Managing conjunctival concretions (commonly referred to as “eye stones”) requires attention to both treatment and post-treatment care. First, patients should seek professional medical care at an ophthalmology clinic—hospitalization is unnecessary, and removal of the concretions typically takes only a few minutes during an outpatient visit. Second, adopting healthy eye habits afterward is essential to prevent recurrence. Specific recommendations are outlined below:

What to do if you have conjunctival concretions?

Conjunctival concretions are multiple, hard, yellowish deposits that form on the tarsal conjunctiva. They result from the accumulation of epithelial cells and the compression and concentration of mucus, leading to degenerative changes—but they do not undergo calcification. Thus, they are more accurately described as conjunctival deposits rather than true “stones.” When these deposits protrude above the conjunctival surface, they may irritate the cornea, causing a foreign-body sensation and potentially leading to corneal abrasion or erosion. Treatment involves visiting an ophthalmologist, who commonly uses a sterilized needle under illumination (e.g., with a penlight or slit lamp) to gently remove the concretions. Patients should avoid or limit consumption of spicy, stimulating, or highly processed foods. Instead, emphasize intake of vitamin-rich fruits and vegetables, and choose nutritious, easily digestible meals.

Preventive measures are also critical:

The primary preventive strategy is cultivating healthy visual habits. Chronic sleep deprivation, frequent late-night activity, and excessive alcohol or tobacco use all place undue strain on the eyes. Prolonged computer use, in particular, significantly stresses ocular health and may cause symptoms such as conjunctival injection, dryness, and conjunctivitis. Although conjunctival concretions represent only a minor conjunctival abnormality, they serve as an important “warning sign” indicating ocular fatigue. To protect your eyes: avoid overexertion; take a 10-minute break every hour when working on a computer—during which you can gaze into the distance and blink frequently to maintain ocular surface moisture; practice good eye hygiene and refrain from rubbing your eyes indiscriminately; and minimize exposure to environmental irritants such as wind, dust, smoke, intense light, and harmful gases.

Daily lifestyle adjustments are also important for managing conjunctival concretions. Consider wearing appropriate eyewear—for instance, protective glasses designed to reduce eye strain—when spending extended periods viewing televisions, computers, smartphones, or other digital screens.

We hope this information proves helpful. Wishing you good health and happiness!