HealthSquare.com

Your Prescription Drug Destination
See all our sites for your special health needs at www.HealthCentral.com
HealthSquare >  Conditions and Treatments >  Alpha Index >  C >  Chemical Eye Burns

Search:

Choose a suggestion...
...or just finish typing
Drugs A-Z:

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.
Return to top
 Email this page |   Printer friendly |   Bookmark this page
HONcode logo
We comply with the HONcode standard for health trust worthy information: verify here.
More info from:

HealthCentral.com

New! Learning Disabilities Site

FOQ Comic Panel

Introducing FriendsOfQuinn.com, where young adults and caregives can get support and resources on learning disabilities. Check out FriendsOfQuinn.com today!

More

HealthCentral.com
Health Sites


view more conditions
Free Newsletters
 

Find a Therapist
Enter Zip Code

Powered by Psychology Today
PR Newswire
advertisement

Featured Advertiser Links
Note: All clinical content on this site is physician-reviewed, except material generated by our community members.
Featuring Content From:
  • Harvard Health Publications
  • A.D.A.M.
  • HealthDay: News for Healthier Living
  • Thomson PDR
  • Ivanhoe Broadcast News

By using this service, you accept our Terms of Use. Please read them. The consumer health information on HealthSquare.com is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for any medical conditions. You should promptly seek professional mediscal care if you have any concern about your health, and you should always consult your physician before starting a fitness regimen. Copyright © 2004-2009. The HealthCentral Network, Inc. All rights reserved.

  • HonCode: Health on the Net Foundation
  • TRUSTe Certified Privacy