For eye exposure to chemicals or irritants, what is the recommended immediate action?

For eye exposure to chemicals or irritants, what is the recommended immediate action?

• A. Remove contact lenses if present
• B. Irrigate affected eye with Normal Saline
• C. Consider Pain Management
• D. Sudecone wipes (Pepper spray or Tear gas)

Answer: (B)

Immediate irrigation with normal saline is the best first step because it quickly dilutes and washes away any chemical or irritant from the eye, reducing surface damage and helping protect vision. Use a generous stream of isotonic saline or clean water, keeping the eye open and flushing for about 15–20 minutes to ensure the contaminant is removed from the entire ocular surface. If contact lenses are present and can be removed quickly without delaying irrigation, take them out to improve cleansing, but don’t delay the flushing. After irrigation, seek medical evaluation, especially if there’s ongoing pain, vision changes, or suspicion of caustic chemical exposure. Pain relief or wipes are not the primary immediate action.

Immediate irrigation with normal saline is the best first step because it quickly dilutes and washes away any chemical or irritant from the eye, reducing surface damage and helping protect vision. Use a generous stream of isotonic saline or clean water, keeping the eye open and flushing for about 15–20 minutes to ensure the contaminant is removed from the entire ocular surface. If contact lenses are present and can be removed quickly without delaying irrigation, take them out to improve cleansing, but don’t delay the flushing. After irrigation, seek medical evaluation, especially if there’s ongoing pain, vision changes, or suspicion of caustic chemical exposure. Pain relief or wipes are not the primary immediate action.