A SIGHT SAVING BOTTLE

One of the most frightening accidents around the house is when you or one of your children splashes a toxic substance into the eyes. A recent episode that involved one of my staff members and her daughter compelled me to make this topic the subject of this month's column. The sight-saving device I will refer to is a four ounce plastic bottle of IRRIGATING SOLUTION. It is a sterile, balanced, salt solution that is similar to your own tears. The squeeze bottle allows for a steady stream of solution that can be directed around the eye tissue and even under the eyelids. You will find several brand names in the drugstore, but the ones that come to mind are BLINX and DACRIOSE.

There are many toxic substances that can permanently harm your eyes, and others that only cause temporary discomfort. Among the worst are "alkaline" substances such as ammonia, bleach, and lye. These are "caustic" substances that continue their devastation for days and even months! Battery acids, gasoline, perfumes, and alcohols are not caustic and will therefore do all their damage within a few hours. Even these materials can be dangerous but recovery and healing is usually complete within days. None of these toxic substances should be taken lightly, however, and the first few minutes (sometimes, seconds) after exposure are critical.

IRRIGATION OF THE EYES is the emergency treatment for any foreign substance. Tap water will work just fine. If you know the chemical is an alkaline material, do not waste time looking for a sterile bottle of irrigating or saline solution. Water from the hose, kitchen faucet, or shower will do. MOST IMPORTANTLY, you must wash out the eyes anywhere from 15 to 30 minutes!

The value of having a bottle of Blinx handy is that you don't have to lean over a sink, or stand in a shower for 30 minutes. Begin irrigation FIRST, then if you have help, have them call your eye doctor for further instructions. If you cannot locate your doctor, call for emergency services or a poison control center.

Your actions will depend on the severity of the burn and offending substance. As I mentioned previously, chemical eye burns from alkaline material are the most serious. Ammonia, fertilizers, oven cleaners, drain cleaners, bleaches, hair dyes and tints, anti-rust products, jewelry cleaners, and automatic dishwashing detergents are some of the more common culprits. Acids, alcohols, gasoline, turpentine, paint thinners, perfumes, fingernail polish remover (acetone), pool cleaners, hydrogen peroxide, and super glue are some of the less serious substances that you may encounter. (Super glue? A similar compound is actually used in the eye to close open wounds.)

Remember, "less serious" does not mean to take the situation lightly. Any irritant can cause damage, so begin irrigation immediately and don't concern yourself with the chemistry of the substance. I personally tested a dozen or so household products and found two surprises. Normal Clorox Bleach tested near the "neutral" range of acid-alkaline on a pH test. That means it may not be as caustic as some of the other household items. The other surprise was the extreme alkalinity of Liquid Drano. That means you should be particularly careful when using any drain cleaners. The most acidic substance I tested personally was Sno Bol toilet cleaner.

After your initial emergency treatment with tap water or a bottle of irrigating solution, and after consultation with your eye doctor or emergency room, try to remember to take the offending bottle with you to the doctor. This will help to determine the severity of the burn and the most appropriate action. Remember, most toxic burns of the eye will NOT result in permanent loss of vision, but your quick action with thorough IRRIGATION will improve the prognosis for a total recovery.

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