Author: Kishan Indrakumar, Thomas Moore, Mayank Nagar, Preetibah Ratenavelu, Dominique Tiriant / Editor: Charlotte Davies / Codes: / Published: 19/08/2025
Why Chemical Eye Injuries Matter
You’re in the middle of your shift when a 30-year-old man arrives in triage, clutching his eye after accidentally splashing a cleaning chemical at work. Hes photophobic, in visible pain, and urgently asking for help.
Chemical eye injuries are true ophthalmic emergencies where every second counts. Prompt recognition and immediate irrigation can mean the difference between full recovery and permanent vision loss.
Key Actions
- TOXBASE. Chemicals splashed or sprayed into the eyes features and management [Internet]. UK: TOXBASE; [cited 2025 Apr 29].
- The Royal College of Ophthalmologists. Chemical injuries of the ocular surface. College News FOCUS. 2018 Apr [Internet]; [cited 2025 Apr 29].
- Gupta N, Kalaivani M, Tandon R. Comparison of prognostic value of Roper Hall and Dua classification systems in acute ocular burns. Br J Ophthalmol. 2011;95(2):1948.
- Suspected globe rupture or perforation: Delay irrigation until assessed by ophthalmology.
- Deep corneal injury or foreign body: Avoid using a Morgan (scleral) lens as it may worsen the injury.
