Hydrogen peroxide is a common household chemical, used in first aid, cleaning, and as a component in some contact lens solutions. Direct contact with the eyes can cause discomfort and potentially more serious effects. Knowing how to react quickly if hydrogen peroxide enters the eye is important to minimize harm.
Immediate Steps for Eye Exposure
If hydrogen peroxide gets into your eye, immediate action is necessary to prevent further irritation or damage. Begin by thoroughly washing your hands with soap and water to remove any debris, germs, or remaining peroxide from your fingers. This prevents additional contaminants from entering the eye during the flushing process.
Next, flush the affected eye with a gentle, steady stream of lukewarm water or sterile saline solution. This flushing should continue for at least 15 minutes to ensure the chemical is diluted and removed. You can do this by holding your eye open under a faucet, using a shower, or pouring water from a clean container.
If you wear contact lenses, they should be removed during the flushing process. Flushing the eye with water may help dislodge them; if not, carefully remove them with clean hands. Avoid rubbing your eye, as this can cause additional damage or worsen symptoms.
When to Get Medical Help
After flushing your eye, contact your eye doctor or a healthcare provider. They may recommend an eye exam. Persistent symptoms or concerns should prompt immediate medical attention.
Seek professional medical help if you experience symptoms such as persistent pain, blurry vision, significant redness, swelling, or continued irritation after flushing. These symptoms could indicate more than mild irritation. If the hydrogen peroxide involved was a higher concentration, such as those used in hair bleach (6-10%) or industrial applications (over 10%), seeking emergency medical care or calling poison control is advised.
Understanding Eye Effects
Hydrogen peroxide reacts with eye tissue by oxidizing it, which can cause irritation and, in higher concentrations, tissue damage. Household concentrations, typically 3%, cause temporary discomfort like stinging, burning, redness, tearing, and a feeling of a foreign object in the eye.
While these effects are temporary with household-strength solutions and proper flushing, higher concentrations or delayed treatment can lead to more severe damage. This includes corneal abrasions (scratches on the eye’s surface) or corneal ulcers (open sores). Although these complications are temporary and resolve with treatment, untreated cases can lead to scarring and changes in vision, including blindness.