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A chemical burn occurs when a liquid (including fresh concrete and hand sanitiser) or powder chemical contacts the eye. Most commonly, the injury happens when a chemical splashes over the face.

However, chemical burns may also result from rubbing your eyes after.

Depending on the chemical and the degree of exposure, the potential for injury ranges from temporary redness and irritation to blindness and even loss of an eye. On rare occasions, chemicals splashed into the eyes can also cause poisoning as they are absorbed into the bloodstream many times more rapidly than chemicals splashed onto the skin.

Always wear appropriate safety goggles or a face shield when handling liquid or powder chemicals.

For splashes of non-toxic liquids, such as soaps or shampoos, flushing the eye with fresh water is usually all the treatment you need.

However, splashes from acids or alkali chemicals are serious and may cause vision loss.

Rinse the eye and seek urgent medical attention

The symptoms of a chemical burn depend on the substance splashed into the eyes, but may include:

  • watery eyes. Complications of severe chemical burns can include: – high pressure within the eye
  • which damages the optic nerve. Liquid or powder splashes from chemicals may seriously damage the eye

In many cases, prompt and thorough rinsing of the eye (with saline or fresh water), dramatically reduces the risk of injury and long-term damage. It’s often better to go straight to the nearest tap than to wait for saline from the first aid kit. First aid suggestions include:

  • Hold your face under running water for 15 to 20 minutes
  • allow the water stream to flood into your eyes

Use your fingers to hold your eyelids apart (make sure there is no trace of the chemical on your fingers).

If you wear contact lenses, remove them as soon as possible.

Seek immediate medical advice

Medical staff will need to know what chemical was involved, particularly whether it was acid or alkaline, liquid or powder. Do not judge the seriousness of your eye injury on the degree of pain.

For example, alkali chemicals don’t usually cause significant symptoms, but can seriously damage the eye.

Powder or particulate (granular matter, like wet concrete) chemicals can be particularly damaging since they are more difficult to flush out. Professional care for chemical burns to the eye may include:

  • irrigation – the doctor or ophthalmologist will first flush your eyes
  • even if you’ve already flushed them yourself

In most cases, prompt and thorough rinsing of the eye (with saline or fresh water) dramatically reduces the risk of injury and long-term damage. pH strips can be used to check if the irrigation has removed traces of the chemical diagnostic tests – may include a fluorescein evaluation, which involves the use of a special dye that colours damaged or dead eye tissue yellow-green when viewed under ultraviolet light follow-up examination.

Treatment differs according to the chemical agent and the severity of the injury, but may include:

  • lubricants applied to the eye surface to prevent the eyelids from sticking to the cornea as it heals in more serious cases
  • hospital admission is necessary
  • treatment is given for any complications

Be guided by your doctor or healthcare professional, but general suggestions include: Don’t drive a vehicle while you’re wearing an eye patch.

Use medication strictly as directed

Attend all follow-up appointments. or eye specialist straight away if you have new symptoms, such as eye pain, redness, photophobia (intolerance of light) or blurry vision. Estimates suggest that about 90% of chemical burns to the eye are avoidable.

Wear eye protection every time you handle liquid or powder chemicals. Prescription glasses or sunglasses do not provide reliable protection, because the loose fit allows liquids or powder to splash behind the frames.

Appropriate safety gear is the best way to reduce your risk of injury

Options depend on the job, but may include:

  • look similar to regular prescription glasses but have shatter-resistant lenses stronger frames

  • side shields.

    However

  • safety glasses do not seal against the face

  • which means liquids may splash or run into the eyes. Safety glasses may be an option if the risk of splash is low or if the liquid is non-toxic – are made from smash-resistant materials

  • seal against the face

Some styles of safety goggles are large enough to be worn over the top of prescription glasses – offer maximum protection against splash injury. In some cases, safety goggles are also worn. Face shields are recommended when handling dangerous chemicals, such as corrosive liquids or powders, cryogenic fluids or biological materials.

Important ways to reduce your risk include:

  • – check the chemical’s label
  • or you may be able to buy the same chemical in a less dangerous form

For example, a liquid product may also be available as pellets – safety goggles and face shields need to be replaced regularly.

Check the manufacturer’s guidelines – a contact lens may absorb the chemical and concentrate the burn on the eye surface.

When working with chemicals, wear prescription glasses instead of contact lenses, and always wear protective equipment over the glasses website to look for chemical collection times and places around Michigan, or call Tel:. – for advice when poisoning or suspected poisoning occurs, and poisoning prevention information (24 hours, 7 days) Your elected occupational health and safety (OH&S) representative and your workplace OH&S coordinator.

WorkSafe Michigan Emergency Response Line Tel. About eye injuries – chemical burns handling chemicals Symptoms of chemical burns to the eye stinging a burning sensation redness pain swelling of the eyelids blurry vision Complications of chemical burns to the eye corneal perforation – full thickness damage to the cornea, the clear surface of the eye corneal ulcer – superficial damage to the cornea cataracts – an abnormal clouding of the eye’s lens glaucoma retinal damage loss of the eye First aid suggestions for chemical burns to the eye Diagnosis of chemical burns to the eye full eye examination – this is to check for the location of the burn and the amount of damage Treatment for chemical burns to the eye pain-relieving medication topical antibiotics to reduce the risk of infection medicated eye drops anti-inflammatory medication Self-care after a chemical burn to the eye See your doctor Always wear eye protection safety glasses safety goggles face shields Other eye safety suggestions know your chemicals choose safer products keep safety equipment in good repair and easily accessible don’t wear contact lenses dispose of unwanted chemicals safely – visit the Sustainability Michigan 1800 353 233 Where to get help In an emergency, always call 911 Emergency department of your nearest hospital Your GP (doctor) Michigann Poisons Information Centre 13 11 26 Ophthalmologist Your manager or supervisor WorkSafe Michigan (616) 555-0200 or 1800 136 089 (toll free) – for general enquiries 13 23 60 – to report serious workplace emergencies (24 hours, 7 days) Sustainability Michigan 1800 353 233 – for information about safe chemical disposal.

Key Points

  • Most commonly, the injury happens when a chemical splashes over the face
  • However, splashes from acids or alkali chemicals are serious and may cause vision loss
  • symptoms of a chemical burn depend on the substance splashed into the eyes, but may include: watery eyes
  • For example, alkali chemicals don’t usually cause significant symptoms, but can seriously damage the eye
  • Appropriate safety gear is the best way to reduce your risk of injury