Table of contents:
- How to clean the eyes properly without irritating the eyes
- 1. Recognize the symptoms of an eye infection
- 2. Remove the contact lenses
- 3. Take a comfortable position
- 4. Clean the eyes by rinsing
- What if my eyes are exposed to chemicals?
When dirt or foreign objects get into your eyes, you may reflexively rub your eyes to get them out. In fact, this bad habit can actually irritate your eyes. If allowed to continue, the method can aggravate infection in the eye. So, do you know how to clean your eyes properly? Check out the full review below.
How to clean the eyes properly without irritating the eyes
Any dirt, grit, dust, and other foreign objects that get into the eyes need to be cleaned immediately. Otherwise, the debris can continue to build up and cause irritation to the eyes.
Almost everyone usually chooses shortcuts by rubbing their eyes. However, this can injure the lining of the eye and cause corneal abrasion. In fact, this bad habit can push foreign objects deeper into the eye and become trapped in it. As a result, this can increase the risk of damage to the surface of the eye.
Therefore, you need to apply a proper and safe way to clean your eyes without irritating your eyes. Check out the following sequence of methods.
1. Recognize the symptoms of an eye infection
Because of the small amount of dirt or foreign objects that enter, many people often do not realize that their eye has an infection. Symptoms of eye infections include red eyes, itching, and eye pain.
After that, try to check your eyes for any foreign objects that have entered. Open your eyes wide with the help of two fingers, then look at your eye area in the mirror.
Look at the pink part on the inside of your lower lid. If there are dirt or small spots, try to remove the dirt slowly with the help of a wet cotton swab or a stream of water. Be careful not to hit your eyeballs.
2. Remove the contact lenses
Contact lenses are one of the most common causes of eye infections, usually because you don't put your contact lenses in properly or wear them too long. In addition, wearing contact lenses can also trap incoming debris, worsening eye infection symptoms.
So, before cleaning your eyes, make sure you have removed the contact lenses. However, make sure you wash your hands first so you don't transfer germs from your hands to your eyes.
3. Take a comfortable position
Position yourself as comfortable as possible before starting to clean your eyes. A comfortable position can also facilitate the flow of water into your eyes when you clean your eyes.
Start by tilting your head downwards or slightly lowering your head. This will quickly drop the stream of water or the eye wash solution, preventing the infection from spreading to the rest of the eye.
4. Clean the eyes by rinsing
Get a small container or cup about the size of an eye (shot glass) and fill it with clean water or eye cleaning solution. Glue the small cup around the eyes, then turn your head back. This method will cause the liquid to hit the eye directly and begin to slowly clean the surface of the eye.
When cleaning your eyes, blink a few times and move your eyes up, down, and to the side. Do this for 10-15 minutes to distribute the liquid throughout the eyeball.
Sometimes, the liquid can run down your face and soak your clothes. So, put a towel around your neck to prevent your body from being spilled.
When you're done rinsing your eyes, pat the area around your eyes with a clean, dry towel. Usually, the symptoms of an eye infection will decrease after one to two hours after cleaning the eye.
What if my eyes are exposed to chemicals?
You who work in the laboratory may be splashed with certain substances. Or if you are cleaning the house with cleaning fluid, you may accidentally enter the cleaning fluid in your eyes.
If any chemical gets into your eyes, immediately rinse them with clean water or eye cleaning solution for a long time. The time it takes to clean the eyes due to chemical exposure is as follows:
- 15-20 minutes for moderate to severe irritation from chemicals that cause acute toxicity, such as acetic acid, bleach, and formaldehyde.
- 30 minutes if the eye has been splashed with a corrosive chemical, for example sulfuric acid.
- 60 minutes if the eyes are exposed to strong alkaline substances such as sodium, potassium, or calcium hydroxide. These ingredients can cause a burning sensation in the eyes, so it takes longer to clean the eyes.
Be careful when cleaning your eyes due to exposure to chemicals. If you experience symptoms of a more severe eye infection, such as shadowing vision, swollen eyes, headaches, and severe pain in the eye, immediately consult a doctor for further treatment.
