Burns To The Eye: Check Your Symptoms

Content provided by Healthwise

When to See a Doctor

Do you have a chemical burn to your eye? Immediately flush your eye with cool water for 30 minutes.

See significance of a chemical burn to the eye if you need information to help you answer the questions below.

Review health risks that may increase the seriousness of your symptoms.

Call your health professional immediately if you answer "Yes" to any of the following questions.

Yes

Have you had a chemical splashed into your eye?

Note: When a chemical burn occurs, find out what chemical (acid or alkaline) caused the burn. When you call your doctor or a Poison Control Center or the National Poison Control Hotline (1-800-222-1222) have the chemical container with you so you can read the label to the Poison Control person.

Yes

Do you have pain, redness, discharge, or tearing after flushing your eye with water for 30 minutes?

Yes

Do you have any vision changes after flushing your eye with water for 30 minutes? Vision changes may include:

• Decreased vision.
• Double vision.
• Blurred vision.
• Sensitivity to light (photophobia).

Yes

Has your cornea turned white or cloudy after flushing your eye with water for 30 minutes?

Yes

Have you gotten superglue in your eye? Note: Flush your eye with water for 30 minutes.

Call your health professional today if you answer "Yes" to the following question.

Yes

Have you gotten regular glue in your eye? Note: Flush your eye with water for 30 minutes.

If you have answered "No" to the above questions, go back to Check Your Symptoms and continue to answer the questions to evaluate your symptoms.

Last updated:	December 06, 2007
Author:	Jan Nissl, RN, BS
Reviewed By:	William M. Green, MD - Emergency Medicine, Christopher J. Rudnisky, MD, FRCSC - Ophthalmology
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Tracy Landauer