Eye injuries and chemical splashes

How to give first aid for eye injuries, especially chemical splashes and foreign bodies, to protect vision and reduce complications.

See qualifying courses

How to guide

What is eye injuries?

Eye injuries range from minor irritation from dust or eyelashes to serious trauma such as penetrating injuries, chemical burns and blunt force damage to the eyeball or orbit. Symptoms can include pain, redness, watering, blurred vision, photophobia, foreign body sensation and, in severe cases, loss of vision or altered eye shape.

Chemical splashes, especially from strong acids and alkalis, are ophthalmic emergencies; prolonged irrigation and urgent ophthalmology review are essential. Penetrating injuries, high-velocity projectiles and blunt trauma also require immediate specialist assessment and careful protection of the eye.

Eye injuries and chemical splashes can cause permanent vision loss if not managed promptly, and immediate irrigation for chemical injury is critical to outcome.

Who needs this skill?

Any setting using chemicals, tools, projectiles or where violence is possible must be prepared for eye emergencies.

Health & Social Care

In health and social care, risks include cleaning chemicals, certain therapies and behavioural incidents; staff must know where eye wash points are, irrigate copiously and refer promptly rather than waiting to see if symptoms settle.

Licensed venues & nightlife

In nightlife and licensed venues, risks include broken glass, assaults and cleaning chemicals; staff should avoid attempting to remove embedded fragments and must arrange urgent care for any serious eye injury.

Schools

Laboratories, workshops and cleaning operations in schools all create eye injury risks; clear eye-wash procedures and rapid escalation protect vision when things go wrong.

Workplaces

In workplaces, eye injuries are common in construction, manufacturing, laboratories and cleaning; employers must provide eye protection, eye wash facilities and clear procedures for chemical exposure and foreign bodies.

How to manage eye injuries

These steps set out how to irrigate chemical splashes, protect the eye and arrange urgent specialist assessment when needed.

1

Assess the mechanism and visible injury without probing

Ask what happened, what chemical or object was involved and whether one or both eyes are affected; look for obvious foreign bodies, redness, clouding, unequal pupils or deformity without pressing on the eye.

Treat any suspicion of penetration, high-velocity impact or chemical burn as an emergency requiring specialist care.

2

Irrigate chemical splashes immediately and copiously

Begin irrigating the affected eye with plenty of clean water or saline as soon as possible, ideally for at least 20 minutes, while holding the eyelids open and ensuring contaminated water drains away from the other eye.

Do not delay irrigation while looking for special solutions; water is effective and should be started immediately.

3

Avoid rubbing or probing the eye

Advise the casualty not to rub their eye, and do not attempt to remove embedded foreign bodies or objects stuck in the eyeball.

If a loose particle is visible on the white of the eye or inner lid and you are trained, you may gently irrigate it away; otherwise seek medical help.

4

Cover and protect serious eye injuries

For suspected penetrating injuries or significant blunt trauma, cover the eye with a rigid shield or sterile dressing without putting pressure on the eyeball, and consider lightly covering the other eye to reduce movement.

Do not apply ointments or drops unless prescribed by a clinician.

5

Seek urgent medical advice or 999 for serious or persistent symptoms

Call 999 for chemical burns, penetrating injuries, sudden vision loss, severe pain, distorted pupil or eye shape, or if you are otherwise seriously concerned; for less severe injuries, arrange urgent eye casualty or optometry assessment if symptoms persist.

Document the substance, safety data sheet and first aid given to support further care.

This guide is a learning reference only. It does not replace attended, assessed first aid training.

Qualifying courses

These courses cover eye first aid at an appropriate level, with clinical programmes covering detailed ophthalmic management. Choose the course that matches your role, sector, and the level of clinical practice required.

Qualsafe Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (RQF)

3 days

3 years

Learn More

Qualsafe Level 3 Award in Paediatric First Aid (RQF)

EYFS recognised paediatric first aid

2 days

3 years

Qualsafe Level 2 Award in Activity First Aid (RQF)

Includes eye injuries in activity context

2 days

3 years

Learn More

Common questions

Practical answers for employers, venue managers, and healthcare teams about eye injuries training.

Can't find your answer? Contact us.

B

Why is immediate irrigation so important in chemical eye injuries?

Acids and alkalis can continue to damage eye tissues until diluted and removed; prompt, copious irrigation reduces contact time and injury depth, improving outcomes.

B

Can I use contact lens solution or tap water for eye irrigation?

Tap water is acceptable if sterile solutions are unavailable; use the cleanest water you have. Contact lens solution may be used if sterile and readily available but should not delay irrigation.

B

Should I ever remove a contact lens after chemical exposure?

Guidance varies, but in general, irrigate first and only remove contact lenses if they come out easily during irrigation or as advised by clinicians, to avoid additional trauma.

B

Is it safe to let someone go home if their eye just feels a bit gritty after work?

Persistent pain, redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity or a history of high-velocity impact all warrant professional assessment; small corneal abrasions and foreign bodies can lead to infection if ignored.

B

How can organisations reduce eye injury risk?

Use of appropriate eye protection, safe chemical handling, guarding on tools and machinery, and clear signage and training on emergency eye wash use all reduce risk.