Eye wash: indications, preparation, rules for conducting

An effective method for eliminating fatigue and eye irritation is washing. Consider popular ophthalmic solutions and the rules for their use.

A pair of sensory organs with high sensitivity are the eyes. They have a complex structure: the cornea, the anterior chamber, the iris, the pupil, the lens, the vitreous, the retina, the sclera and the optic nerve. The main functions of the eyes are:

• Light and color perception.
• Peripheral vision.
• Central (objective) vision.
• Stereoscopic vision.

The most sensitive is the cornea. It is a transparent shell that covers the front of the eye. There are no blood vessels in it, but it has a great refractive power.

The organs of vision are unprotected from mechanical damage, the negative effects of viruses, bacteria, and infections. Irrigating the conjunctival sac with a liquid jet allows you to remove foreign bodies from the eye, remove redness, irritation. The treatment method is used for many ophthalmic diseases.

In some cases, washing is much more important than further treatment. This concerns the impact of aggressive substances, since the longer the irritating factor acts, the more serious the inflammatory process. For irrigation, purified or boiled water is most often used, washing solutions are also effective: Furacilin, Chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, Miramistin, Penicillin. Excellent variety of herbal infusions and decoctions, antiseptics and even tea leaves.

[1], [2],

Indications for the procedure

Mote, dust and any foreign body that gets in the eyes, causes discomfort and painful sensations. The protective system of the organs of vision does not always cope with the natural cleaning of the cornea with the help of tears. In this case, a washing procedure is necessary. Let's consider the main indications for its conduct:

1. Foreign body exposure - redness, burning, increased lacrimation, painful sensations when the eyelid closes.

• Dust, mote, sand.
• Detergents and cosmetics and other low-hazard chemicals.
• Moss and other small insects.

2. The impact of mechanical factors (penetrating, non-penetrating).

• Metal fragments, shavings, glass.
• Squeezing the eyeball.
• Rupture of the cornea.

3. Thermal burns and frostbite - the effect on the mucous of cold liquids and piercing wind. Eye contact with hot steam, boiling water, smoldering objects, flame.
4. Hazardous chemicals - solvents, various acids and alkalis, lime, glue.
5. Ultraviolet and infrared radiation - corneal damage occurs when direct sunlight and other rays hit it.
6. Inflammatory diseases (conjunctivitis).
7. Increased dryness due to prolonged visual loads.
8. Ocular itching.
9. Painful sensations (most often occur after a long work at the computer).
10. Eye sore in newborns.

In all of the above, categorically it is contraindicated to rub the eyes with your hands, as this can injure the eyeball. Washing with clean water at room temperature or with a drug solution will ease the painful condition and help restore normal vision.

[3], [4], [5]

Eye wash with conjunctivitis

The most common ophthalmic disease faced by both adults and children is conjunctivitis. A painful condition arises from the penetration of pathogens into the eyes of pathogens. Most often, infection occurs when rubbing the organs of vision with dirty hands. Inflammation can develop because of prolonged exposure to drafts or weathering. Another possible cause of increased lachrymation and burning is an allergic reaction.

In any case, when symptoms of conjunctivitis appear, the question arises as to how to eliminate the disease. Treatment directly depends on the reasons:

• For bacterial damage, special drops should be used, for example, Levomycetin or Albucid.
• When a virus infection is recommended ointments, which are laid behind the eyelid: Zovirax, Floral, Bonafton, Virolex.
• With allergic cause of discomfort, therapy consists of taking antihistamines.

Regardless of the form and type of the disease, it is necessary to wash the eyes before starting treatment. A simple and effective procedure allows you to quickly wash the infection and eliminate pain.

Effective washing solutions:

1. Clean, cool water has a beneficial effect on the organs of vision. Draw the water into the volumetric container and lower it into the face for a few seconds and blink well so that the liquid washed the eyes. Water can splash in the face, but the eyes should be open.
2. Strong black or green tea without additives and flavors, this is another effective remedy for conjunctivitis. For the procedure, moisten two cotton-wool discs in tea and apply them for 10-30 seconds. Then gently wipe from the outer to the inner corner. You can make lotions from packaged tea, just fitting them to sore eyes.
3. Another remedy is saline solution. For its preparation, dissolve in a glass of warm water a tablespoon of soda. Pour the liquid into the pipette and drip into the eyes.
4. No less effective are decoctions of herbs with medicinal properties. Take a cumin spoon and pour a glass of water. Boil on low heat and add ½ spoonful of plantain leaves, cornflower petals and oval herbs. The agent should be infused before cooling, after which it should be carefully filtered so that no residue remains. Washing is best done with cotton swabs, carefully treating each eye.

Treat both eyes, even with unilateral symptoms. You should also use two different cotton wool discs so that the infection does not go from one eye to the other.

[6], [7], [8], [9]

Preparation

Eye wash refers to medical hygiene procedures, and therefore requires careful preparation.

• Wash your hands well with soap or treat them with an antiseptic. Detergent should not remain, because when irritants get on the mucous membrane of the cornea, the inflammatory process is significantly aggravated.
• Prepare a solution or boiled water at room temperature. Note that too hot or cold liquids can exacerbate a painful condition. It should be borne in mind that if you hit any chemical reagents in the eye, treatment at home is not only useless, but also dangerous.
• For the procedure, you can use a large clean towel, cotton swabs, a pipette, a cup or a small bowl. There are also pharmacy kits for eyewash that contain a special bowl and a sterile aqueous solution.

The procedure should be performed for each eye, even if only one is damaged. If discomfort persists after irrigation, a tear runs, itchy or festering eyes, then immediately seek medical help.

Eye wash plum kit

To date, there are ready-made sets for washing the eyes. Plum is a first aid for the defeat of the organs of vision with acids, alkalis or when foreign particles enter them.

Popular Plum Sets:

1. Plum Eye Wash is a dustproof container with two liquid vials. It is a 0.9% sterile solution of sodium chloride, which corresponds to the normal environment of the eye. The product is effective in the case of mechanical foreign bodies, dust, dirt, wood or metal shavings. Suitable for neutralizing some chemicals, for example engine oils, or solvents. Recommended for regions with high dust and industrial plants.
2. Plum with pH Neutral and Eye Wash is a dustproof container with a liquid for removing dirt and dust, neutralizing the effects of acids and alkalis. PH Neutral is a 4.9% sterile solution of phosphate salts. It is used for rapid neutralization of highly concentrated alkalis and acids. The solution removes chemicals in less than 10 seconds without creating danger to the eyes. It is designed for areas with a high risk of accidents associated with the damage caused by chemical reagents.

At the first stage of treatment, it is recommended to apply pH Neutral for two minutes, and then Plum Eye Wash for 5 minutes. The kit includes a special container for wall mounting, as well as a pictogram and a mirror, simplifying the procedure.

[10], [11], [12]

Eye wash bottle

For comfortable eye washing, it is recommended to use special containers:

• Ekastu is a 175 ml mini bottle
• Sekuroka is a washing tank with the size of 620 ml. Has a special valve, allowing the use of the bottle in any convenient position.
• Eyecleaner - device for eye baths made of soft plastic.

Also, there are devices designed for eyeballs in hospital settings and devices for treating ophthalmic diseases by electrophoresis.

The advantage of the eye bath for irrigation is that it fits snugly against the skin of the eyelids, preventing fluid leakage during the procedure. Capacity can be reused, since it is resistant to disinfection.

Using a rubber eyeball for washing the eyes

A rubber pear is another device that can be used to wash the eyes.

• For the procedure, it is better to use a medium-sized pear. Rinse it thoroughly, dip the tip of the pipette into solution or water and squeeze out the soft part to get liquid.
• A few drops of the solution squeeze out the eye. To do this, tilt the head back and hold the bulb directly over the open eye. Take care that the pipette does not come into contact with the cornea or eyelashes.
• Properly blot out that the solution is evenly distributed throughout the mucosa. If necessary, repeat the procedure.

This method is suitable for treating fatigue, but is not recommended for removing foreign particles or eliminating irritants.

Eye wash rules

Eyes - this is a very sensitive organ, subject to the influence of aggressive environmental factors and various stimuli. Its treatment should be carried out with extreme caution.

First of all, determine if you need an emergency medical care. It should be taken into account that some substances can cause chemical burns and other damage. If nausea, vomiting, severe headaches, febrile condition or loss of consciousness occur on the background of visual impairment, then you should immediately consult a doctor.

The washing procedure must be carried out in accordance with special rules:

• Irrigation should be carried out in conditions of strict asepsis, so you should wash your hands well and treat them with an antibacterial agent.
• Prepare a medicinal solution and a container. You can use gauze / cotton discs, a rubber bulb, a pipette, a towel, a bowl or a syringe without a needle.
• Tilt the head back and push the lower eyelid. Wipe your eyes from the inner edge to the outside. If the procedure is performed in the opposite direction, it can lead to the spread of infection throughout the cornea. It is necessary to wash both eyes, even if only one is affected.

The length of the procedure depends on the type of substances that need to be washed. In the case of low-irritating components (soap, shampoo), rinsing should be carried out for 5 minutes. With medium-strong stimuli - 20 minutes. If there was a defeat with caustic alkalis, irrigation of the cornea should last at least 60 minutes. After the procedure, blink and gently wipe the remaining liquid from your face, but do not rub your eyes.

Technique of the eye wash

Irrigation of the conjunctival sac with a liquid jet has a special technique for carrying out:

• Before the procedure, tilt your head back and open your eyes. If necessary, hold the lower eyelids with your fingers.
• Use freshly prepared solutions or purified water at room temperature.
• Gently pour liquid on the cornea, but make sure that the head is not strong.
• Close your eyes and blink. Wipe the solution with the edge of the eyelids.

Particular attention should be paid to the choice of washing liquid: drops, tablets or solutions, herbs. To remove foreign bodies it is better to use boiled water. In case of irritation or inflammation, herbal decoctions or pharmacy medicinal solutions are excellent, as they have a balanced neutral pH level.

Contraindications to the procedure

Eye wash should be carried out with extreme caution, since there is a risk of injury to the eyeball, which can cause serious complications and even irreversible consequences.

Contraindication to washing is the individual intolerance of the selected drug solution or the risk of allergic reactions. With extreme caution, alcohol-containing substances should be used, as they can cause burns to the cornea.

Special attention should be given to the washing method. If you get on the cornea of a foreign object, eye baths and water treatment are recommended. In inflammatory processes, the most effective are instillation and compresses with medicinal fluids. It is forbidden to rub your eyes, as this can further injure the mucous membrane. If the washing does not eliminate the painful condition, then it is necessary to immediately consult an ophthalmologist.

[13], [14], [15], [16]

Consequences after the procedure

Cleansing the cornea with water and other washing solutions at home can lead to a number of unpleasant consequences. After the procedure, you may experience these side effects:

• Edema and redness of the conjunctiva.
• Increased lacrimation.
• Painful sensations when blinking.
• Cutting and burning.
• Spasms of the eyelids.
• Edema of the upper and lower eyelids.

The above reactions develop when using too hot or cold liquid, when treating the eyes with a strong head of water.

It is also possible to develop serious allergic reactions to the solution: a runny nose, nasal congestion, skin rashes, asthma attacks and even anaphylactic shock. The development of the above consequences requires medical care.

[17], [18]

Complications after the procedure

From the indications for eye washing, timely and correctly rendered before-care help, the risk of complication development depends. Unsuitable or substandard therapy can cause such problems:

• Decreased visual acuity.
• Purulent inflammation of the eyes.
• The turn of the century.
• Blockage of the lacrimal canal.
• Accumulation of pus in the skull.
• Loss of sight.
• Cicatricial corneal damage.
• Dry eye syndrome.

Quite often irrigation of the eyes is performed with conjunctivitis. This disease can also lead to complications due to its improper treatment. First of all, the inflammatory process affects the visual acuity (hyperopia, nearsightedness), a defect in the curvature of the cornea, acquired strabismus, cataracts, glaucoma and other pathologies.

To reduce the risk of complications, you should seek medical help. The doctor will determine the cause of the morbid condition and prescribe the appropriate treatment.

[19], [20]

Care after the procedure

In order for eyewash washing to be effective, it is very important not only to properly select the effective means for irrigation, but also the way to use it. If water or medicinal infusions / decoctions are used for the procedure, the temperature should be respected so that the liquid does not injure the mucous membrane. When using medicinal preparations in the form of drops, it is necessary to strictly follow the instructions of the medicine, take into account all contraindications, the risk of developing side reactions.

Special attention deserves care after the procedure:

• Immediately after rinsing, gently swab a towel or a soft cloth with the remaining liquid from the face.
• In order for the solution to spread evenly over the mucosa, it is necessary to blink well.
• Do not rub eyes. Excessive pressure on the inflamed or injured mucous membrane will prolong the recovery process and can cause a number of complications.
• Give up walking, spend time at home, so that your eyes relax as much as possible.
• Observe the rules of personal hygiene and use personal household items until full recovery.

Eye wash is effective if it is prescribed by a doctor. With some diseases, for example bacterial nature, such local therapy is ineffective and can lead to complications. Timely appeal for medical care and careful treatment of their health, will preserve the beauty and functionality of the organs of vision.

[21], [22]