First aid for the eyes: foreign objects, splashes, and chemical burns

The eyes are among the organs most exposed to everyday accidents—and among the most vulnerable to improper first aid interventions. A wood chip while gardening, a splash of cleaning product, sand blown by the wind, or prolonged sun exposure without sunglasses: eye emergencies occur more often than we think, and the first few minutes of intervention make all the difference between a full recovery and visual impairment. Here's what to do—and most importantly, what to avoid.

Reading time: approximately 5 minutes

Foreign object in the eye: never rub

A grain of sand, dust, metal shard, wood chip, insect—foreign objects in the eye are the most common situation. The first natural reaction is to rub: this is the worst thing to do.

Rubbing the eye can:

• Embed the foreign object deeper into the cornea
• Cause a corneal laceration
• Introduce bacteria into a microscopic wound

The correct steps:

1. Blink several times—natural tears may be enough to dislodge a grain of sand or light dust.
2. Rinse with sterile eyewash (available in any comprehensive first aid kit) or clean running water: tilt your head back, hold your eye open with your fingers, and rinse in a gentle stream for 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Look downwards and gently lift the upper eyelid to try and locate any visible foreign object. If you see it on the surface of the eyelid (not on the cornea), you can try to gently remove it with the corner of a clean tissue.
4. Never attempt to extract a foreign object embedded in the cornea or one that does not move with rinsing. Cover the eye with a sterile protective shield or a cup and consult a doctor or ophthalmological emergency.

If pain persists after rinsing, if vision is blurred, or if the eye is very red and watery, seek prompt medical attention—an untreated corneal abrasion can become infected.

Chemical splash: immediate and prolonged rinsing

Household cleaning product, pesticide, pool chemical, solvent, acid, or base—a chemical splash in the eyes is a medical emergency. The fundamental principle: rinse immediately and continuously.

1. Start rinsing within seconds—every second counts to limit chemical damage. Go directly to the sink, tap, or shower.
2. Rinse with cold or lukewarm running water for at least 15 to 20 minutes—hold your eyelids open with your fingers, letting the water flow from the inner to the outer corner of the eye. Alternate between both eyes if both are affected.
3. Remove contact lenses immediately before or during rinsing, if you wear them.
4. Call 911 or the Quebec Poison Control Centre (1-800-463-5060) during or after rinsing for specific instructions regarding the product involved.
5. Cover the eye with a sterile, moist compress and go to the emergency room—even if the eye seems better after rinsing.

Important: Alkaline products (ammonia, lime, cement) cause more severe and deeper lesions than acids. Rinse for even longer (30 minutes minimum) for alkaline products.

Arc flash or intense light burn (phototrauma)

Arc welding without eye protection, exposure to high-altitude UV without glasses, or the use of a UV lamp are common causes of UV keratitis—often called "flash burn" or "welder's eye." Symptoms do not appear immediately: intense pain, excessive tearing, photophobia, and a gritty sensation in the eyes occur 6 to 12 hours after exposure.

First aid:

• Place the person in a dark, quiet environment—light aggravates the pain.
• Cold compresses on closed eyes can provide temporary relief.
• Do not put anything in the eyes without medical advice—no drops, no eyewash, no anesthetic products.
• Consult a doctor or ophthalmological emergency quickly—UV keratitis requires specific treatment.

Blow to the eye: assessing severity

A hit from a ball, finger, elbow, or any other impact on the eye can cause injuries ranging from a simple bruise to severe internal bleeding.

If the eye is intact and vision is normal: apply an instant cold pack (never direct ice) for 15 minutes every hour to reduce swelling. Consult a doctor if pain persists beyond a few hours.

Seek urgent medical attention (or call 911) if:

• Vision is blurred or double after the blow
• The eye is visibly bleeding (red fluid in the white part)
• The pupil is irregularly shaped
• The eye is painful and very sensitive to light
• You suspect a foreign object is embedded in the eye after the blow

Never press on an injured eye—do not cover it with a compressive bandage. If you fear a serious injury, cover it with a rigid protective shield (the bottom of a cup) without touching the eyeball.

What to always have in your first aid kit for eye emergencies

• Sterile eyewash (individual 10 ml ampoules or 100 ml bottle)
• Sterile eye protection shields
• Non-adherent sterile compresses
• Instant cold packs

Key takeaways

When faced with an eye emergency, two simple rules to remember: never rub, and rinse thoroughly for chemical splashes. Eyes are fragile organs that recover well when intervened correctly in the first few minutes—and can suffer permanent damage if the wrong actions are taken. When in doubt, always consult—a visit to ophthalmological emergency care is better than compromised vision.

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Disclaimer: This article is provided for educational purposes only. It does not replace the advice of a healthcare professional. In case of an eye emergency, call 911 or go to the emergency room immediately.