An interesting specialized tool

Posted at the often-interesting whatisthisthing subreddit, with the following thumbnail description:

"Thin yet heavy metal pen-shaped object with a removable clip.  One end is ball-shaped (but no ink could possibly flow), and the other end has a fishing-line-type loop."

A major clue is that the ball at the end is magnetic.

Here are two replies:  

    "It's a tool to remove foreign objects from your eye, used most often in welding and machine shops. The other end is a nylon loop that holds a drop or two of sterile water to attract non magnetic debris in the eye.

    "Optometrist here. If you have a medical eye doctor nearby you can save the ER trip. I've removed a ton of these in office myself, and any ophthalmologist can. Just don't go to a lenscrafters or pearl vision etc. and expect anything beyond glasses/contacts."

Lots of comments at the link from metalworkers.