Know what to do when bleach gets in your eye
One day you’re cleaning, and you accidentally splash bleach into your eye. It sounds like a simple mistake, but getting bleach in your eye requires immediate action. It's generally recommended to flush your eye with lukewarm water for at least 15 to 20 minutes to reduce the risk of permanent damage to the eye and skin around the eye. Then seek medical care right away.
Symptoms caused by getting bleach in your eye
Getting bleach in your eye may cause some noticeable symptoms, including:
- Eye pain
- Eye watering (epiphora)
- Eyelid twitching (blepharospasm)
Once the chemical comes in contact with the sensitive tissues of the eye, it immediately can lead to inflammation of the conjunctiva. Over time, bleach will penetrate well past the eye’s surface to damage internal structures. Even 5-15 minutes of direct bleach (alkali) exposure could cause irreversible damage.
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The risks of bleach coming into contact with the eye
In our daily lives, we come into contact with bleach often when we’re using chemical products to clean, remove stains or whiten surfaces. Bleach has a pH level of about 12, making it a very basic alkaline substance and high on the pH scale (0-14). This is an important fact to note because irreversible damage may occur when the eye comes in contact with products that are a pH of 11.5 or higher.
In terms of the pH scale, alkali injuries to the eye are generally more serious than acidic injuries. This is because products with higher pH penetrate the eye tissues more rapidly.
If you get even a drop of bleach in your eye, it could result in a chemical burn and should be treated immediately. But before you see an eye doctor or go to an emergency room, certain first aid steps could help remove as much of the bleach from your eye as possible.
Knowing how to act when you get bleach in your eye and taking immediate action can minimize further damage to the eye and skin around the eye.
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How to flush your eyes if you get bleach in them
When your eye is exposed to strong chemicals like bleach, it can lead to permanent vision damage. Fortunately, knowing what to do when you get bleach in your eye can reduce the overall damage done and potentially save your vision.
Follow these steps if you get bleach in your eye
- Find the nearest source of clean water, such as a shower, eye wash station or faucet. A sterile water source is ideal.
- Hold the eyelid as open as possible and let a gentle stream of water flow into the eye. Make sure to roll your eyes around for the best coverage.
- Flush your eyes for at least 15-20 minutes.
- After you have flushed the eye for a suitable amount of time, wash your hands thoroughly to remove any remaining bleach. This may prevent further contamination if you have any remaining chemicals on your hands.
- Once your hands are clean, remove any eyewear like contacts if you are wearing them.
It’s important that you refrain from rubbing your eye or putting anything else in it until you can get help from your eye doctor or an emergency facility.
When to get medical treatment
Once you have followed these first aid instructions, it is important that you seek your eye doctor or emergency room for urgent care.
You can reduce the risk of eye and skin damage with emergency at-home eye irrigation, but you still need to get medical treatment from a professional. A trained eye care or medical provider can perform an exam and a more thorough eye irrigation.
If you have received care at an emergency facility, they will likely refer you back to your ophthalmologist or optometrist to schedule a follow up appointment on the following day. An ophthalmologist or an optometrist can assess your eye for damage to the eye and skin around the eye. They can also come up with solutions to improve your eye health.
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