Eyewashes are valuable tools for removing small, foreign objects from the eye as well as soothing eyes that have become irritated due to air-based contaminants like pollen, ragweed and dust. If you work in an area where hazardous chemicals are used frequently, it is likely there is a professional eyewash station in case of accidents. Eyewashes kept at home do not need to be quite as intense as those in, say, a chemistry lab, but it is still a good idea to keep eyewash on hand for the odd speck of potting soil or sunscreen that irritates the eye profoundly without causing serious damage.
While tap water or nonacidic contact solution will do in a pinch, solutions designed specifically for eye washing are preferable. Minerals found in tap water can further irritate your eye if you are using water for daily flushing. With an eyewash solution, you know that the liquid you are getting has an appropriate pH balance and will not damage your eyes. You also know that you are getting sterile liquid that has been packaged accordingly and will not introduce bacteria into your eyes.
To make at-home use easier, some manufacturers include a small cup with their eyewash. The cup allows you to fill it with eyewash, clamp it over your eye, look upward and open and roll your eye to get the maximum benefit. As long as you clean the cup properly between every use, this method is fine. Otherwise, eye washing is pretty straightforward: tip your head back, hold your eye open and flush it straight from the bottle. When the cap is off your eyewash solution, be careful not to allow the tip of the bottle or the inside of the cap to touch anything. Bacteria are transmitted through even the briefest contact between surfaces, and the sterility of the eyewash will be compromised.
What to Look for
Due to the sensitive nature of the eye, most eyewashes are relatively similar. Look for packages that have not been damaged in any way. If you are at all unsure and think the eyewash might have been tampered with, do not put it in your eyes. Even though most eyewashes are similar, some people insist that they feel a difference between various brands. If you find that one type of eyewash solution feels more effective to you than another, use it by all means. If you are having trouble finding an eyewash solution that seems to work for you, look for one as close to normal saline as possible. Normal saline is distilled water with 0.09 percent sodium. This is what your natural tears are made of.
Common Pitfalls
Eyewashes come in a variety of sizes. It is possible to find everything from single-use vials to bottles that may last you a year. Although it may be slightly more expensive, single-use eyewashes are a safer bet. There is less chance for contamination over the long term, especially if you use eyewash rather infrequently, and the bottle is sitting for months after having been opened.
Member Comments