The key facts
- Alkali burns of the eye are more dangerous than acid burns: alkali dissolves fats in cell membranes and penetrates deep into tissues
- The false feeling of relief after a few minutes is the main trap — the alkali keeps destroying the cornea
- The doctor's recommendation: rinse the eye with clean water for 15–20 minutes without interruption, do not rub and do not try to neutralize the alkali with vinegar
Alkali burns of the eye: why no time should be lost
Splashes of slaked lime, herbicide or fertilizer getting into the eye cause a chemical burn considered one of the most dangerous. Ophthalmologist Ilya Kustov of the Zrenie ophthalmology center told Gazeta.Ru about this.
Why alkali is more dangerous than acid
According to the specialist, acid getting into the eye causes coagulation (clotting) of proteins, forming a barrier that partially limits its further penetration into tissues. Alkali acts differently: it dissolves fats in cell membranes and penetrates deep, damaging the iris and even the lens. The destructive action of alkali continues even after the first sharp pain has dulled. Alkali is found in lime, cement, ammonia fertilizers and many weed control products.
False relief is the main danger
“The main danger is the false feeling of relief. Within just a few minutes a person may think the condition has improved and decide to wait it out. However, at that time the alkali continues to penetrate deeper and deeper into the cornea and damage the tissues. Therefore the only correct solution is to rinse the eye with clean water for at least 15–20 minutes without interruption,” Kustov explained.
How to rinse the eye correctly
According to the doctor, any clean water will do — from the tap, a bottle or a shower; volume matters more than sterility. The eyelids should be gently spread apart with fingers and the victim asked to rotate the eye so the water reaches all affected areas. One can stand under the shower and direct a weak stream of water at the forehead above the affected eye or at the bridge of the nose if the substance got into both eyes, keeping the eyelids open. Another option is to tilt the head down, turn it to the side and rinse the eye under a weak stream of tap water without closing the eyelids.
What not to do and when to see a doctor
Do not rub the eye, and do not try to “neutralize” the alkali with vinegar: such a chemical reaction releases heat and adds a thermal burn to the chemical one. After rinsing, one must seek an ophthalmology hospital as soon as possible. If the cornea has become cloudy and the eye unnaturally white, this is a sign of a severe burn, and not a minute should be lost. “When lime or fertilizers get into the eye, water and time save. The first thing to do is start rinsing the eye with water. It is these twenty minutes that often determine whether vision can be saved,” Ilya Kustov concluded.
