Chemicals, including many common household products, can burn you eyes. Burns can happen if a liquid chemical splashes into your eyes. They can also happen if a chemical powder or fume blows in your eyes. Chemicals can injure your eyes long after they first make contact.
Chemical eye burns can range from mild to severe. The severity of the burn depends on the chemical, the amount that got on the eye, and how long it was on the eye. Severe eye burns usually involve strong acids or alkali, a chemical used in drain cleaner. Serious burns can damage the eyelids and eyeballs and cause scarring. They can result in permanent damage and blindness.
What are the causes?
This condition may be caused by:
An accident involving a household product, such as a cleaner, …show more content…
Antibiotic drops or ointment applied directly to the eye to prevent or treat infection.
Corticosteroid eye drops or ointments to reduce redness and irritation.
Severe burns may also require:
A procedure to remove damaged tissue in or around the eye (debridement).
Placement of bandage soft contact lens or amniotic membrane tissue to help the eye to heal.
Surgery to reconstruct the eye and surrounding tissue, or to replace damaged parts of the eye with eye tissue from a donor.
Follow these instructions at home:
Take over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider.
Do not drive or operate heavy machinery while taking prescription pain medicine.
Take or apply your antibiotic medicines, ointments, or drops as told by your health care provider. Do not stop using the medicines even if you start to feel better.
Do not take baths, swim, or use a hot tub until your health care provider approves.
Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider. Ask your health care provider what activities are safe for