Chemical eye burn - how to behave?

Chemical burn to the eye is a serious injury that requires immediate action to reduce the risk of serious damage. Contact with chemicals such as acids, bases or detergents can lead to irritation, corneal damage and even permanent loss of vision.

Pierwszym krokiem jest obfite płukanie oka wodą lub solą fizjologiczną przez co najmniej 15 minut. Upewnij się, że płyn spływa na zewnątrz, aby uniknąć zanieczyszczenia drugiego oka. Zasady są najbardziej niebezpieczne, ponieważ wnikają w głąb tkanek, powodując głębokie urazy.

Avoid rubbing the eye, which could make the condition worse. After flushing, visit an ophthalmologist as soon as possible to assess the extent of damage to the eyeball and implement treatment. A quick response is key to preventing complications.

Chemical eye burn - symptoms

A chemical burn to the eye can cause a number of symptoms that vary depending on the type of chemical and the degree of damage. In most cases, the first signals are intense pain, burning and a foreign body sensation under the eyelid. These symptoms are often associated with damage to the surface of the eye, such as conjunctival irritation or changes in the structure of the cornea.¹

The most common symptoms of chemical burns to the eye:

• Swelling of the eyelids and redness of the conjunctiva.
• Intense tearing or, conversely, a dry feeling.
• Difficulty in opening the eye due to pain.
• Reduced visual acuity or blurred vision.

Acid burns often cause superficial lesions, while alkalis can penetrate deep into the eye, leading to more severe damage. Even if symptoms appear mild, any chemical damage to the eye requires immediate medical attention. Early treatment can prevent complications such as permanent corneal scarring.

What does a chemical burn to the eye look like?

Chemical burn to the eye is an injury that can lead to superficial or deep changes in the structure of the eyeball. The appearance and severity of the damage depends on the type of chemical and the duration of exposure. Chemical burns can be caused by acids, bases or other irritants.

Typical symptoms seen with such an injury are:

• Conjunctival redness and swelling of the eyelids.
• White opacity of the cornea, especially in more severe burns.
• Changes in the appearance of the ocular surface, such as erosions or tissue necrosis.
• In more serious cases, damage extending to deep structures of the eyeball, such as the sclera or lens.

Alkalis are particularly dangerous as they penetrate deep into tissues, causing extensive and difficult to treat injuries. Acids, although less penetrating, can also lead to serious damage, such as corneal scarring and reduced visual acuity.

Any burn to the eye requires urgent medical consultation, even if the damage appears minor. Proper diagnosis and prompt implementation of treatment is the key to avoiding permanent consequences.

Classification of chemical eye burns

Chemical burns to the eye can vary in severity, depending on the type of chemical, the time of action and the speed of first aid. Burns are classified as mild, moderate or severe, depending on the depth of damage and involvement of the structures of the eye.

Mild superficial burns

They manifest as conjunctival redness, mild irritation and burning. These changes are limited to the surface of the eye and are reversible with a quick rinse.

2. moderate chemical burns

They affect the conjunctiva and cornea, causing pain, swelling and corneal opacity. Such injuries may require specialist treatment to prevent scarring.

3. severe chemical burns to the eye

Caused by strong alkalis or acids, penetrating deep into the tissues and damaging the deep structures of the eyeball. Such injuries carry the risk of corneal scarring, permanent visual impairment and even total loss of vision.

Any chemical burn to the eye requires urgent consultation with an ophthalmologist to assess the damage and implement appropriate treatment.²

Treatment of chemical burns of the eye

A chemical burn to the eye requires prompt and effective action to prevent the damage from worsening. The type of treatment depends on the severity of the injury and the type of chemical that caused the burn. In all cases, the priority is to remove the chemical from the surface of the eye and limit further tissue damage.

First aid:

1. Eye wash - The most important step for any chemical burn to the eye. Flush the eye with clean water or saline for at least 15 minutes, making sure the water drains away.
2. Avoiding eye rubbing - Mechanical irritation can aggravate the injury and introduce the chemical into deeper layers.
3. Contact with a doctor - any case of severe burns or persistent symptoms requires immediate consultation with an ophthalmologist.

The doctor can apply:

• Moisturising drops and antibiotics to regenerate the cornea and prevent infections.
• Anti-inflammatory therapies (e.g. steroids) to reduce scarring.
• Surgical procedures in severe cases, such as burns caused by strong alkalis or acids that have damaged the deeper structures of the eye.

Any treatment must be individually tailored to the severity of the injury. Early intervention minimises the risk of permanent complications, such as corneal scarring or loss of vision.

Domestos in the eye - what to do?

Burns caused by Domestos or other highly corrosive cleaning products are among the most dangerous, as they contain alkalis that can cause deep damage to the eye. Contact with such a chemical requires an immediate response to minimise the risk of permanent changes.

First aid:

1. Immediate eye wash
   Płucz oko dużą ilością czystej, letniej wody przez co najmniej 15 minut. Jeśli masz sól fizjologiczną, użyj jej do przepłukania. Ważne, aby woda spływała na zewnątrz i nie przedostała się do zdrowego oka.
2. Avoid rubbing the eye
   Friction can aggravate the injury and increase the penetration of substances into the deeper layers of the eye.
3. Consultation with a doctor
   After flushing, visit an ophthalmologist immediately. The specialist will assess the extent of the damage and implement appropriate treatment.

Prevention of such accidents:

To avoid injury from detergents, it is a good idea to take protective measures, such as wearing safety goggles, when working with corrosive substances. Keep chemicals out of the reach of children and always use them according to instructions.

Strong alkalis, such as Domestos, belong to the group of irritants that can cause serious consequences if they enter the eye. Even after a quick first aid treatment, an assessment by a doctor is necessary to rule out permanent damage.

What to do if a laundry capsule gets into your eyes?

Chemical burns caused by a laundry capsule are a common household accident. Concentrated detergents in capsules can cause both irritation and corneal damage.

First aid:

1. Eye wash - Rinse the eye immediately with lukewarm water or saline for at least 15 minutes to remove the detergent.
2. Don't rub your eye - friction can increase damage.
3. Report to your doctor – nawet jeśli objawy wydają się łagodne, wizyta u okulisty jest konieczna. Detergenty mogą prowadzić do bliznowacenia rogówki lub poważniejszych powikłań.

Accident prevention:

Keep capsules out of the reach of children and use in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions.

Any chemical damage to the eye requires prompt action and assessment by a specialist to prevent permanent consequences.

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