Chemical Eye Injuries

Laboratories come equipped with emergency equipment, including eye wash stations. This is because if a chemical gets into your eye, it is important to immediately wash it out. Chemical eye injuries can be harmless or dangerous, depending on the chemical.

Where You're At Risk

• Chemicals can get into the eyes in a number of locations, including hazardous work places and the home.

How They Spread

• A chemical injury can occur if you rub your hand over your eye without realizing there are chemicals on your hand. Particles from sprays, like hair spray, can also be dangerous for eyes.

Types of Chemicals

• Acids are chemicals that aren't extremely dangerous, even though they may initially sting and cause redness. Alkalis, like oven cleaners or toilet bowl cleaners, although they may not hurt at first, can cause serious damage, including vision loss and blindness.

Quick Solution

• If a chemical gets in your eye, initial reaction might be to close your eye or rub it. However, this could cause more irritation. Immediately rinse your eye under a steady stream of luke warm water for 15 minutes.

Calling for Help

• Call an emergency professional as soon as possible, and tell him what got in your eye and what you have done for it.