Alkaline materials, such as lime and those found in domestic cleaning products, and acids can be highly toxic to the eye, damaging the surface and in severe cases the internal parts of the eye. The eye rapidly becomes painful, photophobic and usually red with a reduction in vision.
Action
In all cases immediate and thorough irrigation of both the surface of the eye and under the eyelids is essential, using plain water or, if readily available, a saline eye wash. Local anaesthetic drops facilitate this. Any solid particles must be removed and irrigation continued for 20-30 minutes. The patient should then be referred directly to an eye emergency department.
