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Eye Wash Instructions

An eye wash is performed by using a liquid such as sterile water or saline solution to wash out your eyes. An eye wash is usually done to flush chemicals or foreign objects out of the eye. It is essential to perform an eye wash correctly to avoid infection or further injury.

  1. Evaluate

    • Evaluate the extent of the eye injury. If a chemical has splashed into your eye, perform an eye wash immediately. If a foreign object has entered the eye, have a helper pull your lower eyelid down while you look up. Ask your helper to evaluate the object stuck in your eye. If the object is floating on the surface of the eyeball, an eye wash should be performed. If the object has punctured the eyeball or is stuck in the eye, visit the nearest emergency room.

    Prepare

    • Prepare an eye wash solution. This should be done as quickly as possible. Most workplaces have an eye wash station or kit on hand that includes an eye wash solution. If you do not have an eye wash solution available, make one as soon as possible. Ideally, water sterilized through boiling, then cooled to room temperature, is the best solution. If there is no time to boil, mix one part salt with three parts room-temperature water.

    Wash

    • Choose a container to be used to wash the eye. The rim of the container should have the same circumference as the eye socket and encompass the area from brow bone to cheekbone. Shot glasses and small drinking cups make excellent eye wash containers. Fill the cup with the eye wash solution. Tilt your head back and rinse your open eye. Use your fingers to hold your eye open if you need to. Repeat this process until your eye feels better. The OSHA website recommends a five-minute eye rinse for mildly irritating substances and 20 minutes for mildly irritating or non-penetrating corrosive substances. A full hour of eye washing is required for corrosive substances that may penetrate the surface of the eye. If an object is in the eye, rinse the object out and rinse for an additional five minutes to flush out bacteria. In any case, contact your doctor if signs of infection such as redness and inflammation appear.

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