Self-Care at Home

For all chemical injuries, the first step is to immediately flush the affected eye generously. If eye irrigating solutions are available, use them; otherwise, tap water will suffice.

• Start rinsing the eye promptly and continue for at least 10 minutes. The longer the chemical stays in the eye, the more damage it can cause. Diluting the substance and washing away any particles is crucial.
• In a workplace, use an emergency eyewash or shower station with sterile isotonic saline solution, or cold tap water if sterile saline is unavailable.
• If at home without special eye wash, step into the shower with clothes on to rinse the eye.
While it may be uncomfortable, keep your eyelids as wide open as possible during rinsing.
• If an alkali or hydrofluoric acid burn occurs, continue rinsing until you receive medical attention or arrive at the hospital's emergency department.

When to Seek Medical Care

If possible, identify the type of chemical you were exposed to, either from the product label or by calling your regional Poison Control Center.

If the chemical is an irritant (with a neutral pH) and symptoms are minor, monitor the condition with a call to your ophthalmologist. If it worsens, schedule an appointment or visit the Emergency Room if necessary.

If unsure about the chemical's danger or if significant symptoms are present, proceed to the nearest hospital's emergency department immediately.

Any instance of pain, tearing, redness, irritation, or vision loss warrants a trip to the hospital's emergency department, even for mild irritants.

All acid or alkali eye burns require immediate medical evaluation. Head to the closest emergency department, or call an ambulance if needed.

Follow-up

After receiving treatment for a chemical eye burn at the hospital's emergency department, see an ophthalmologist within 24 hours for further care.

Prevention

Safety experts estimate that up to 90% of chemical eye injuries are preventable.

Always wear safety glasses when working with hazardous materials, both at work and at home.

Child safety is vital. Keep all hazardous home products out of children's reach.

Outlook

Recovery depends on the type and extent of injury.

• Chemical irritants typically don't cause permanent damage.
• Recovery from acid and alkali burns varies with the depth of the injury.

1. The 4 grades of burns are:
2. Grade 1: Full recovery expected.
3. Grade 2: Possible scarring, but vision should recover.
4. Grade 3: Vision impairment is likely.
5. Grade 4: Severe vision damage is probable.