Managing chemical eye injuries in dental practice
Caustic solutions used in dental treatments can cause severe chemical eye injuries. In particular, alkaline solutions cause liquefactive necrosis because they burn the ocular tissues. In dental practice, follow the advice in Management of chemical eye injuries in dental practice for first-aid management of patients with chemical eye injuries.
If a chemical injury to the eye occurs:
- Stop dental treatment.
- Immediately irrigate the eye with water.
- Hold the eyelid open.
- Remove contact lens if present.
- Continue irrigation with water, poured from a cup or beaker or from a tap, for at least 15 minutes.
- Do not use an eyecup because a continuous flow of water over the eye is required.
- If weak chemical injury and minor eye irritation have occurred, organise medical review for the same day.
- If caustic chemical injury or a marked inflammatory response has occurred, call 000 and continue irrigation until assistance arrives.
- Inform the medical team which chemical caused the injury.