When building a first aid kit, it’s easy to focus on bandages and ointments, but eye wash is often overlooked. Accidents involving the eyes can happen unexpectedly, whether you’re dealing with chemicals, dust, or small debris. Without the right solution on hand, these incidents can lead to long-lasting damage or irritation.
One important fact to consider is that even minor eye injuries can escalate if untreated, potentially resulting in infections or vision problems. This makes quick access to eye wash critical in emergency situations.
In this article, we’ll address the common reasons why eye wash is often excluded from first aid kits, despite its importance. We’ll explain why adding it could be the simple step that saves your vision when accidents occur.
What Is Eye Wash?
Eye wash is actually a type of saline solution, a medical solution made from purified water, saline eye wash is used in conjunction with other eye related equipment to help treat eye related injuries.
The type of eye injury this can help with is when an irritant such as a chemical, or any foreign liquid, enters the eye.
The saline solution can help remove foreign objects and liquids from the eye and treat scratches as well. Yet, eye wash can also be used to help treat allergy issues such as helping irritation caused by pollen, fur, or other allergens.
If you get a burning sensation, stinging, or excessively in your eyes, an eye wash can treat it.
How To Use An Eye Wash Station?
So yes we have eye wash saline solution, but you wouldn’t just start pouring that in the eye that’s causing the issue.
You generally buy an eye wash station that is needed to apply the saline solution effectively to your eye.
These eye wash stations also ensure if you were on your own you could still theoretically wash your eye yourself, which is useful.
An eye wash station will contain the solution you need but will also have some kind of applicator to allow you to apply the eye wash to the eye easily and practically.
Some eye wash stations do this via a cotton-tipped applicator that can send the water into your eye, or through a sterile eye cup where you use gravity to allow the water to rinse the eye.
To Use A Nozzle Applicator
- Add the eye wash solution to the applicator. Don’t let the eye wash applicator make direct contact with the eye, only the eye wash solution.
- Lean back with your eye(s) wide open and squeeze the applicator to wash out your eye and rinse it.
- Repeat as many times as you need to to relieve the eye irritation
With An Eye Cup
- First, rinse the cup with a small amount of the solution to sanitize it. This is important as the eye cup will make some contact with your eye and face.
- Once sanitized, empty the water and then re-fill to around the halfway line, don’t fill to the brim to avoid spillage.
- Put the cup to your eye while your head is down. Ensure there is enough pressure to keep the liquid contained within the cup and not leak
- Lean back with your eyes open so gravity will allow the liquid to enter your eye.
- Roll your eyes around and blink as much as is necessary.
Note that eye contacts should be removed when using an eyewash station, and you should wait a good 5 minutes at the least before putting contacts back in.
Is An Eye Wash Station Necessary?
Yes, it is highly suggested you have some sort of eye wash station in your home, but certainly in the workplace, especially when dealing with dangerous chemicals.
At home, an eye wash station can be really useful.
Imagine you are cutting a chili at home that is particularly spicy and accidentally rubbing your eye, you would be in serious pain.
When you know where the eye wash station is and how to use it all you have to do is wash your eye out and any serious damage could be averted.
This is one case where you would find a lot of use for an eye wash station in your home.
You may think that eye irritation doesn’t occur all that often, and if you are careful it won’t occur, but there are loads of ways you can irritate your eyes in the home, and especially at work.
However, it’s best to be prepared for these situations when they do occur. You won’t need it now, but when you do suffer some form of eye irritation, you’ll certainly be glad that you do have an eye wash station lying around.
Misconceptions About Owning Eye Wash
Many people think that eye wash is pointless because it can go out of date quickly, perhaps before you have even had the chance to use it.
This is not true, most sealed eye wash solutions can be totally fine to use for two to three years after the date of manufacture.
The expiration date can be printed on the bottle. It is worth swapping out your eye wash solution every 3 years or so.
Yet, if you have opened your eye wash bottle and used it previously it’s shelf life is likely around half of this after being opened.
Another misconception when it comes to eye wash solutions is that it is expensive to buy a whole eye wash station.
This isn’t necessarily true, eye wash stations are generally pretty cheap in comparison to other medicines and medical supplies and you only need to buy one.
After this all you might need to do is replace the eye wash solution which costs a mere fraction of the eye wash station, being just filtered water.
Plus, one thing to bear in mind is that even if you consider an eye wash station to be expensive, it’s still going to cost less than a trip to the hospital and you could be slapped with a large bill for going through emergency services and taking up doctors time.
You can treat these minor eye injuries at home, so why not save the medical fees.
Final Thoughts
As you can see, there are many ways you can get something in your eye when you are at home, and especially when you are at work.
If you do suffer some minor eye injury you will be really happy to see that eye wash station in your first aid kit.
It can feel like you might never need one, but emergencies are spontaneous and we should be prepared for all events we can actually handle.
Moreover, an eye wash station can actually be really useful for avoiding the hospital and its fees.
A minor eye injury as described can be really awkward and annoying and without an eye was station you will want to get it treated.
For much less money and effort, by simply buying an eye wash station, you can actually treat a minor eye injury at home easily.
FAQs
Do First Aid Kits Typically Include Eye Wash Solutions?
Yes, many standard first aid kits include an eye wash solution. This item is especially important in settings where eye injuries are likely, such as environments with chemical exposure or workplaces prone to accidents that could harm the eyes.
What Are the Risks of Not Having an Eye Wash Kit Available?
Without an eye wash kit, harmful substances may stay in the eyes longer, increasing the risk of serious damage or vision loss. Immediate treatment is essential to prevent long-term harm, especially in environments with hazardous materials.
Are There Specific Environments Where Eye Wash Kits Are Essential?
Yes, eye wash kits are essential in workplaces like laboratories, construction areas, and places where chemicals are handled. These environments carry higher risks of eye injuries, making it necessary to have eye wash solutions readily available for emergencies.
Can Expired Eye Wash Solutions Be Used in Emergencies?
No, expired eye wash solutions should not be used. They may not remain sterile or effective after expiration, which could increase the risk of infection or other complications. Always check and replace expired eye wash solutions to ensure proper care during emergencies.
