Getting urine in your eye can be an unsettling experience, often leading to immediate discomfort. Understanding the effects and appropriate responses is important for maintaining eye health. This article explains what happens when urine contacts the eye, the steps to take, and potential health considerations.
Immediate Sensations
Upon contact, the eye reacts quickly to urine, causing immediate stinging, burning, and irritation. Temporary redness and increased tearing also occur as the eye attempts to flush out the substance. These reactions are due to urine’s chemical composition, including compounds like urea and uric acid, and its pH, which irritate delicate eye tissues. While uncomfortable, these responses are usually transient, and with proper care, the irritation often subsides quickly.
First Aid Steps
Prompt action is important when urine enters the eye to minimize irritation and potential complications. The primary step is to flush the affected eye thoroughly with clean, lukewarm water. This should be done for at least 15 to 20 minutes to effectively dilute and wash away irritants. Holding the eyelids open during flushing helps ensure the water reaches all surfaces of the eye.
If contact lenses are worn, remove them as soon as possible before or during flushing. This prevents trapped substances from continuing to irritate the eye or causing further damage. Tilting the head to the side with the affected eye lower can help prevent the urine or flushing water from entering the unaffected eye. Thorough flushing dilutes and removes urine components, reducing the risk of prolonged irritation.
Potential Health Concerns
While getting urine in the eye can be alarming, the risk of serious harm from one’s own urine is low. Urine can pick up bacteria from the urethra and surrounding skin upon exiting the body.
Despite the presence of bacteria, the risk of a significant bacterial infection from a splash of healthy urine is minimal, especially if the eye is flushed promptly. If the urine is from someone else, or if the individual has a urinary tract infection (UTI) or a sexually transmitted infection (STI), the risks can increase. Certain bacteria from UTIs or STIs, such as Chlamydia or Gonorrhea, can be transmitted to the eye through contact with infected fluids, leading to conditions like conjunctivitis. In rare cases, severe infections like endophthalmitis, an infection inside the eyeball, could spread from a urinary tract infection to the eye.
After-effects from urine exposure are mild, including continued irritation, mild redness, or a gritty sensation. Seek medical attention if symptoms persist or worsen. Persistent pain, ongoing irritation lasting more than 24 hours, changes in vision, or signs of infection like discharge, severe redness, swelling, or increased sensitivity to light warrant a consultation with an eye care professional. Medical evaluation is also advisable if the urine was from an individual with a known infection, to assess any specific transmission risks.