First Aid Guide for Illness & Emergencies

First Aid Guide for Illness & Emergencies

Eye Injuries

Diagram 19: Flush the eye with tap water.
Diagram 19: Flush the eye with tap water

Chemical Burns (chemical splash from liquid, powder, or spray can)

Step 1

  • Immediately flush the eye with large amounts of lukewarm tap water for 15 to 30 minutes.

Step 2

  • Place eye under a faucet or a pitcher and turn the head so the injured eye is down and to the side. Hold the eyelids open. (Diagram 19) Or, shower with a gentle stream of lukewarm water on the lower forehead for 15 minutes, holding eyelid(s) open.

Step 3

  • Remove any contact lenses during or after flushing with water.

Step 4

  • Take the person to an Emergency Room or ophthalmologist (medical eye doctor) right after flushing. Or, call 911 and the Pittsburgh Poison Center at 1-800-222-1222 for severe burns.

Step 5

  • Continue flushing the eye until medical help arrives. Take along the chemical container or name of the chemical. Alkali chemicals (example, oven cleaner or ammonia) may not hurt but can cause severe burns.

Step 6

  • Do not rub the eye or bandage it. Keep the eye open. Wear sunglasses to reduce light sensitivity.

Foreign Bodies or Cuts in the Eye

  • For floating specks, wash out the eye with large amounts of lukewarm water or lift the matter away from lids with a moist cotton ball. Try not to touch the eyeball. If available, use an eye cup from a pharmacy, fill it with water, and dunk the eye in it while opening and closing the eye a few times. Or, fill the sink or a tub with water, then dunk the head in as if you were swimming, open your eyes and move the head around.
  • If the clear part of the eye is scratched (corneal scratch), especially over the pupil, go to an Emergency Room or ophthalmologist.
  • Do NOT remove any objects stuck into the eye. Protect the eye with a plastic or paper cup held in place with tape. Go to an Emergency Room or ophthalmologist.
  • Keep the person quiet, and calm