Burn and eye injury
A red, painful eye accompanied by significant tearing can result from a splash of liquid from a household or industrial product. In most cases, this is a chemical burn. Thermal burns are also possible, particularly during arc welding. It is important to immediately and thoroughly rinse the affected eye, as well as the other eye. These accidents, whether at home or at work, are frequent and inherently unpredictable ophthalmological emergencies . Only an ophthalmologist can determine the severity of the injury.
Eye burns
Chemical eye burns are the most common. They occur when a liquid (such as detergent) is splashed or during explosions. In the latter case, a thermal burn is generally added to the toxic burn. With eye burns, the eye is most often red, painful, and watery. A decrease in vision and sensitivity to light (photophobia) may also be experienced. The intensity of the discomfort is not necessarily correlated with the severity of the burn, as the discomfort experienced will vary depending on the type of product involved. The prognosis for such an injury depends in particular on the nature and concentration of the product causing the eye burn. Two categories of agents can be distinguished:
Acidic agents (pH < 7): These cause lesions on the surface of the eye. The stronger the acid (pH < 2.5), the more severe the less acid there is, thus inducing inflammation of the cornea (keratitis). These attacks are often more dramatic than their alkaline counterparts because they are more sudden, but ultimately less serious.
Basic agents (pH > 7): These react with fatty acids present on the corneal surface and induce the destruction of cell membranes. The lesions on the ocular surface are more severe than those induced by acidic agents and are not immediate (they may appear in the days following contact with the product).
An ophthalmological consultation is therefore advised to diagnose the degree of damage to the eye burn and thus propose appropriate treatment.
Symptoms
In case of eye contact or burns, the eye will exhibit the following symptoms:
Pain and blepharospasm – The eye hurts and is difficult to open.
Hyperemia – The eye is red.
Blurred – Vision is altered / cloudy.
Immediate action to be taken
Whatever the cause (chemical, toxic, acidic, basic, thermal), abundant washing of the eye with physiological saline or room temperature water for at least 15 minutes after the chemical agent has been splashed into the eye is the main course of action.
It is important to wash the other eye as well. Ideally, sterile water (saline solution) should be used, but if unavailable, tap water will do perfectly well!
Caution: If you wear contact lenses, it is recommended to remove the lens if possible.
Should I consult a doctor?
Any eye injury requires prompt consultation with an ophthalmologist. They will assess the severity of the injury, remove any remaining debris, and prescribe appropriate treatment.
Treatment with topical antibiotics +/- corticosteroids (eye drops) will be administered if necessary to avoid the occurrence of complications (infectious or cicatricial keratitis, corneal opacities, symblepharon…).
Healing agents and painkillers will also be prescribed to promote healing.
Complications
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Chemical burns, and especially burns from basic agents, can be devastating to the surface of the eye.
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A corneal scar can form, leading to decreased vision. Scarring can also occur haphazardly, with the formation of blood vessels on the cornea.
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The most serious complication is simply perforation of the cornea, which cannot withstand chemical aggression.