1. Wash Your Eye Immediately
As soon as you realize that a chemical has gotten into your eye, immediately start flushing it out with water. This can be done with water from a regular sink or an emergency eye wash station, if available. As you flush, try to determine exactly which chemical burned your eye. Some chemicals are only irritants and will not cause any real damage, just a lot of pain. These include things like household detergents and stain removers. Other chemicals are much more dangerous and resulting burns may require medical treatment.
Alkali burns are caused by chemicals such as ammonia, potassium, sodium, cement, lime and magnesium. These type of burns are the most damaging as the chemicals can seep through the eye surface, harming more delicate inner eye tissue.
Acid burns are caused by things like sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, hydrofluoric acid and nitric acid. These are also very dangerous, but except for hydrofluoric acid, they generally do not penetrate the outer layers of the eye. If you know that you have either an alkali or acid burn, have someone call for emergency medical help and continue washing out your eyes until a trained professional arrives to treat the burn.
2. Use Antibiotic Eye Drops to Prevent Infection
Once you have been seen by a medical doctor or ophthalmologist, you may be prescribed antibiotic eye drops. This is because the burned area will be at greater risk of infection until it heals. Your doctor may also recommend the use of topical steroids in order to speed up the healing process and bring down any swelling. If you have had corneal damage, your physician may suggest the use of topical citrate and ascorbate eye drops, in addition to oral vitamin C drops or vitamins to boost your body's ability to heal itself.
3. Undergo Surgery If Necessary
If the burns are severe enough, your doctor will recommend surgery. You may need a corneal transplant if your cornea turns cloudy or opaque after the chemical burn. If the chemicals were alkaline substances, you may need surgery to remove resulting cataracts or to ease pressure from glaucoma. For less serious cases, you may only need surgery to repair your eyelids and the surface of your eyes.
