A high-school student was splashed in the eyes with a strong acid chemical during a lab; you should:

• A. Flush both eyes with sterile water for no more than 5 minutes.
• B. Continuously flush his eyes with saline for at least 20 minutes.
• C. Cover both eyes with sterile gauze and transport at once.
• D. Force his eyes open and assess for burns.

Answer: (B)

Immediate, thorough irrigation is essential when the eye is exposed to a caustic chemical. The goal is to wash away the acid and dilute it, reducing ongoing tissue damage. Because caustic injuries can continue as long as any chemical remains, a prolonged, continuous flush is needed—typically at least 20 minutes—with clean water or isotonic saline. An irrigation that lasts only a few minutes won’t remove all of the chemical and won’t stop the damage from progressing. Keep the eyelids gently open to allow the solution to reach all surfaces, remove contact lenses if present, and avoid closing or covering the eyes or forcing them open. After irrigation, seek urgent ophthalmologic evaluation and, if possible, check the eye’s pH to ensure it’s neutralized.