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Chemical in eye

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Definition

  • Chemical gets into the eye from fingers, an object, spray or splash
  • For strong chemicals, quickly flushing the eye with tap water is critical. Reason: to prevent any damage to vision.

Symptoms

  • Most chemicals are harmless (soap, hair spray, sunscreen). They cause no symptoms or brief tearing.
  • Some chemicals cause brief stinging and irritation (pink eye), but no eye damage.
  • Acids and alkalis splashed into the eye cause severe eye pain. Examples are toilet bowl or oven cleaners. They can severely damage the eye and sometimes even cause blindness.

Harmless Chemicals

  • The following products are harmless to the eye: bubble bath, cosmetics, deodorant, and foods. Other examples are glow stick liquid, hair conditioner, hair spray, hand lotion, liquid medicines. Shampoo, shaving cream, soap, sunscreen, and toothpaste are also harmless.
  • Hydrogen peroxide, ethyl alcohol, gasoline, swimming pool water and vinegar are also harmless. But, these products can cause eye redness and stinging.
  • Eye contact with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl or hand sanitizer) is most often harmless, But it can cause a burn on the cornea. If symptoms occur, they will often go away with brief washing out of the eye now. If symptoms remain, go to the ER.

Harmful Chemicals: You Need to Prevent Chemical Burns of The Cornea

  • Eye contact with acids or alkalis can cause severe damage to the eye. For these products, wash out the eye with water for 20 minutes now. Then, go to the ER. Knowing which it is doesn't matter for First Aid.
  • Acids. Acids include any product labeled as an acid. Drain cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners, and metal cleaners should be assumed to be acids.
  • Alkalis. Alkalis include lime, lye, hydroxides and industrial-strength ammonia. Drain cleaners, oven cleaners, bathroom cleaners, or industrial cleaners should be assumed to be alkalis.
  • Weak Alkalis. Household bleach, household ammonia and the contents of laundry or dish detergent pods (gel pacs) are weak alkalis. These products usually don't cause eye damage if the eye is promptly washed out. For these chemicals, wash out the eye for 10 minutes. Then call the Poison Center. They will tell you if the product is harmful. They can also tell you if you need to be seen.
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When To Call

Go to ER Now

  • The chemical was an acid or alkali. Exception: mild agents such as vinegar, household bleach or household ammonia. First Aid: BEFORE going to the ER, wash out the eye now with tap water for 20 minutes.
  • Unknown chemical and any eye symptoms (such as pain). First Aid: BEFORE going to the ER, wash out the eye now with tap water for 20 minutes.

Call Doctor or Seek Care Now

  • Tearing or blinking lasts more than 1 hour after washing out the eye
  • Blurred vision lasts more than 1 hour after washing out the eye
  • Eye pain lasts more than 1 hour after washing out the eye
  • You think your child needs to be seen, and the problem is urgent

Call Poison Center Now

  • Household bleach or ammonia (weak alkali). First Aid: BEFORE calling the Poison Center, wash out the eye now with tap water for 10 minutes.
  • Detergent (gel pacs) for laundry or dishwasher (weak alkali). First Aid: BEFORE calling the Poison Center, wash out the eye now with tap water for 10 minutes.
  • Unknown chemical and NO eye symptoms. First Aid: BEFORE calling the Poison Center, wash out the eye now with tap water for 10 minutes.
  • Known chemical but not on the harmless list and NO eye symptoms. Harmless list is in Causes section. First Aid: BEFORE calling the Poison Center, wash out the eye now with tap water for 10 minutes.

Contact Doctor Within 24 Hours

  • Redness of eye lasts more than 24 hours
  • You think your child needs to be seen, but the problem is not urgent

Contact Doctor During Office Hours

  • You have other questions or concerns

Self Care at Home

  • Harmless chemical (see the List in Causes section) and mild or no eye symptoms
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Care Advice

What You Should Know:

  • This advice only applies to harmless chemicals (see Harmless List in Causes section)
  • Most harmless chemicals cause no symptoms. Some cause brief stinging and redness of the eye.
  • They do not cause any damage to the cornea or vision.
  • Here is some care advice that should help.

Wash Out the Eye with Warm Tap Water Now

  • Rapid washing out of the eye with warm tap water can be done at home. Start now.
  • First, take out any contact lens.
  • Washing Out the Eye for Younger Children. Have the child lie down and slowly pour warm tap water into the eye from a pitcher or glass. Hold the eyelid open during this process if the child can't keep it open. Consider doing this in a bathtub. Your child can also lie down with a folded towel under the head.
  • Washing Out the Eye for Older Children. Put the entire face into a basin of warm tap water. With the face underwater, open and close the eyelids. Look from side to side. Change the water several times.
  • How Long? For harmless chemicals, wash out the eye for at least 2 minutes. Caution: harmful substances need flushing with water for up to 20 minutes. See First Aid for those.

Artificial Tears (Eyedrops):

  • If eye discomfort remains after washing out the eye is done, can use artificial tears. No prescription is needed.
  • Dosage: 1 drop, 3 times per day as needed
  • Caution: avoid vasoconstrictor eyedrops (like Visine and Opcon-A). Reason: they hide redness. Redness that lasts more than 24 hours needs to be seen.

What to Expect:

  • The eyes will feel much better after the irritant has been washed out.
  • The pain and discomfort most often gone 1 to 2 hours after washed out.
  • The redness lasts longer.

Call Your Doctor If:

  • Eye pain, blurred vision or tearing lasts more than 1 hour after eyes have been washed out.
  • Redness lasts more than 24 hours
  • You think your child needs to be seen
  • Your child becomes worse

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Barton Schmitt MD, FAAP
Disclaimer: this health information is for educational purposes only. You, the reader, assume full responsibility for how you choose to use it.
Copyright 2000-2024. Schmitt Pediatric Guidelines LLC.
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