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Chemical Eye Burns

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW

If certain chemicals get in your eye, they can cause a great deal of damage. Both acid burns and alkali burns from substances such as lye, lime, and ammonia can be extremely serious.

Signs/Symptoms

Typically, you'll suffer pain, redness, and swelling of the eye, as well as blurred vision.

Care

Rinse the eye right away as outlined below and call your doctor immediately. You may need medicine to reduce the pain and swelling.

WHAT YOU SHOULD DO

  • Rinse the eye with tap water or saline for 15 to 30 minutes. You may find it easier to rinse the eye if you stand in the shower and hold the eye open to the water.
  • Your doctor may put an antibiotic eye ointment in the eye and cover it with a patch to ease the pain and keep windblown material out of it. Do not loosen or remove the eye patch until your doctor gives the go-ahead.
  • Do not drive while the eye is patched; you will be unable to judge distances very well.
  • You may use aspirin, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen to ease the pain.
  • To prevent chemical eye burns, always wear protective eyeglasses when working with chemicals.

Call Your Doctor If...

  • The pain in your eye gets worse.
  • Your vision changes.
  • You develop a high temperature.
  • You see any new discharge coming from your eye.
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