How Does Eyewash Work?

Eyewash works by cleaning, refreshing and soothing eyes from irritation and can be used for daily or emergency eye care. Eyewash is particularly effective for flushing foreign objects, chemicals, pollens and other irritants from the eyes when needed. 

Simple first aid hazards, such as dust or particles getting stuck in your employees’ eye, can escalate into more serious inflictions and cause a lot of discomfort if not treated quickly. This is why eyewash works to purge the eye of any forign bodies and cleanse the eye’s surface with purified water to prevent any infection. 

What Is in Eyewash?

Eyewash, otherwise known as saline solution, is a purified water solution used to treat eye problems and irritation. 

This simple first aid product is often 99% purified water, but some solutions can include small amounts of boric acid –  a chemical designed to fight bacteria and help cleanse the eye’s surface. 

This eyewash combination will help treat any irritation, burning, itching or scratches inflicted on the eye. Eyewash is particularly effective in treating forign bodies in the eye, such as pollen, chemicals or dust. 

Installing an eyewash first aid point and including eyewash in your general first aid is vital for workplaces across a range of industries. Eyewash works by cleaning the eye quickly and effectively to prevent further, or permanent, eye damage from occurring. 

How to Apply Eyewash

When applying an eyewash solution, many users feel application in front of a mirror makes the process a lot easier. This is why first aid rooms should consider installing an eyewash station fitted with a mirror for ease of use in an eye related first aid problem.

For example, our Covered Eyewash Station With Mirror is a perfect emergency eyewash tool as it includes two eyewash solution bottles, eye dressings and a mirror, all encased in a protective, dust-proof covering. 

When in front of the mirror, the user can apply the eyewash with greater care and precision as they can position the eyewash nozzle or cup directly over the eye.  

When applying eyewash, it’s important to follow these steps to ensure the eyewash will work effectively: 

1. Wash or disinfect your hands. 
2. Remove any contact lenses or glasses. 
3. Position the eyewash nozzle or cup over your eye. Keep a steady hand to avoid any spillages. 
4. Lean your head back and open your eyes wide. 
5. Gently flush the eye with the eyewash solution, using as much solution as needed. 
6. Move your eyeball around the socket in a rolling motion to ensure the liquid washes the whole surface. 

Once you’ve irrigated the eye, avoid touching the eye’s surface for at least an hour. For contact lens wearers, it’s advised to avoid wearing lenses for the next hour if possible, if not, you should have at least five minutes without lenses to ensure the eye is fully cleansed before replacing your contacts.  

If major irritation is still occurring after several attempts of flushing the eye with eyewash, you should seek further medical advice from a doctor. 

For more information on eyewash solution and eye cleansing, see our blog on using eyewash in first aid here.