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Educational content only
This page is general patient education, not medical advice. It does not diagnose conditions, recommend specific treatments for you, or replace a conversation with your eye care provider. Always consult a qualified clinician before making decisions about your eye health.
Chemical eye burns are a true ophthalmologic emergency. The single most important action is immediate irrigation — flush the eye with clean water for at least 15 to 30 minutes before doing anything else, including calling for help.
Critical steps
What to do — in order.
First, on the spot
Irrigate for 15-30 minutes
Use any clean water source — tap, shower, garden hose, eye wash station. Hold eyelids open. Don't be gentle; you're trying to wash chemical out, not soothe the eye.
Then
Call ahead, get to the eye doctor or ER
After significant irrigation, head to emergency care. Tell them you're coming with a chemical eye burn — they'll get you back fast and continue irrigation as needed.
At the eye doctor
Continued irrigation + neutralization check
Eye-pH testing confirms the chemical is gone. More irrigation is added if needed. Sterile saline is used to flush the eye thoroughly.
Treatment
Drops, sometimes steroids and oral medications
Antibiotic drops prevent infection. Steroid drops, vitamin C, and other medications protect the cornea while it heals. Severe burns may need amniotic membrane patches or surgical intervention.
This is an emergency
Any chemical splash to the eye — alkali, acid, household cleaner, paint, glue, pepper spray — needs immediate irrigation and same-day evaluation. Don't wait to see how it feels. Damage from alkali in particular continues silently for hours.
Common questions
Honest answers to common questions.
Should I rub or rinse?+
Rinse, never rub. Rubbing grinds the chemical deeper into the eye and damages the cornea further. Flood the eye with water; let gravity carry the chemical away.
Plain water? Or special eye wash?+
Plain water is fine and immediately available — that's what matters. Specialized eye-wash solutions are gentler but not significantly more effective if speed is the trade-off. Use whatever's closest, fastest.
Should I cover the eye?+
Only after irrigating thoroughly. Covering before irrigating traps the chemical against the eye. After flushing, you can lightly shield the eye for transport.
Are home cleaners really dangerous?+
Yes — many household cleaners are strong alkalis or acids. Drain cleaner, ammonia, oven cleaner, and bleach all can cause severe burns. Treat any splash as urgent.
How serious is a mild burn?+
Even mild-looking burns can have deeper effects, especially with alkalis. An exam confirms whether it's truly minor. Better to come in and be reassured than to assume.