The eyelids close quickly in a reflex reaction to protect the eyes from harm. However, irritating or harmful chemicals still sometimes get onto the surface of the eye, causing burns. The most dangerous chemical burns involve strong acids or alkali. Alkali substances include lye (caustic soda), which is found in many drain cleaners. Burns may involve liquids, which splash, or, less commonly, powdered material, which can blow into the eyes.

Severe chemical burns of the transparent dome on the front surface of the eye (cornea), especially alkali injuries, can lead to scarring, perforation of the eye, and blindness. Burns to the eye are very painful. Because the pain is so great, a person tends to keep the eyelids closed. Closed eyelids keep the substance against the eye for a prolonged period, which may worsen the damage.

Treatment

A chemical burn of the eye is treated immediately, even before medical personnel arrive. The eye is opened and flushed (irrigated) with water or saline. With burns caused by strong acids or alkali or other severely caustic substances, the eye should be irrigated continuously for 30 to 120 minutes. Irrigation can be continued where it began, in an ambulance, or in a hospital. Because pain may make it difficult for the person to keep the injured eye open, another person may have to hold the eyelid open while the eye is irrigated. If possible, the water or saline should be at room temperature. A doctor or other health care practitioner can instill an anesthetic drop in the eye to make it much easier to keep the injured eye open.

After irrigation, the doctor examines the surface of the eye and the inside of the eyelid and removes any substance still embedded in the tissue. The inside of the eyelid is also swabbed to remove any tiny particles that may not be visible. A doctor may instill a drop of a drug (such as homatropineSome Trade Names
TUSSIGON
) that dilates the pupil, relaxing the muscles of the colored part of the eye (iris) and preventing them from having painful spasms. Although anesthetic eye drops relieve pain, they also slow healing and are avoided after the initial irrigation. If the cornea is burned, an antibiotic ointment (such as ciprofloxacinSome Trade Names
CILOXAN CIPRO
) is put in the eye. Pain can be treated with acetaminophenSome Trade Names
TYLENOL
or, if very severe, acetaminophenSome Trade Names
TYLENOL
with oxycodoneSome Trade Names
OXYCONTIN
.

Severe burns need to be treated by an ophthalmologist (a medical doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating eye disorders and doing eye surgery) within 24 hours to preserve vision and prevent major complications, such as damage to the cornea and iris, perforation of the eye, and deformities of the eyelid. Corticosteroid drops (such as prednisolone) may also be given by an ophthalmologist for a limited period of time. Severe burns require frequent eye examinations.

Wearing safety glasses or a face shield when handling potentially hazardous chemicals is essential to help prevent chemical burns.

Last full review/revision May 2007 by Kathryn Colby, MD, PhD