If it just happened
Emergency? Call 911- 1Flush the eye immediately with clean running water or an eyewash station. Hold the eyelids open and roll your eyes so water reaches everywhere.
- 2Have someone call 911 while you keep flushing for an extended time. Do not stop early because it feels better.
- 3Remove contact lenses if they come out easily while rinsing; do not delay flushing to do it.
- 4Do not rub the eye or put drops or anything else in it unless a clinician tells you to.
- 5Have a coworker bring the product container or safety data sheet to responders.
- 6Keep flushing on the way to care if possible, as responders direct.
- 7Once you are in care, tell your supervisor and report the injury in writing.
General information only — not medical or legal advice.
Reporting it and the claim process
Eye splashes at work often happen while pouring or mixing cleaning chemicals, working under a car with battery acid or fluids overhead, spraying farm chemicals, unclogging a line that sprays back, or opening a pressurized container. In your report, describe the product, how it splashed, whether you had safety glasses or goggles on and whether an eyewash was nearby and working.
Ask for the safety data sheet and keep a copy. Write down how long it took to start flushing and how long you flushed; that information is useful to your eye care providers.
Your employer generally forwards the report to its insurer or claims administrator. Deadlines to report and file vary by state, so check with your state's workers' compensation agency as soon as possible.
Keep records of every eye appointment and any changes in your vision, including blurriness, light sensitivity, or a gritty feeling that lingers.
Getting medical care
Emergency care comes first. Afterwards, follow-up is often with occupational medicine, primary care or an eye specialist. A licensed clinician decides what is appropriate after an evaluation, and eye injuries sometimes need several checks over the following days.
Tell every provider it happened at work, the product involved and how long you flushed. Some states and employers have rules about which provider you see for follow-up, so ask your employer or adjuster.
If you are prescribed eye medication, ask the pharmacy and adjuster how work-injury prescriptions are handled. Many can be filled nearby or delivered to your home, which helps if you shouldn't drive.
Prescribed medication? Learn about prescription home delivery, common medications after work injuries, or find pharmacies near you. Your doctor and pharmacist decide what is right for you.
When people often talk to an attorney
- You have lasting vision changes, scarring or sensitivity after the splash.
- There was no working eyewash station or no eye protection provided.
- The chemical container was defective or mislabeled by another company.
- Your claim is denied or delayed, or you are blamed for the splash.
- You cannot return to your job because of your vision.
- There are disputes about seeing an eye specialist.
Learn more: what a workers' comp attorney does. Many offer a free first consultation; fees in workers' comp are often regulated by the state.
Recovery and going back to work
Keep every follow-up visit, even if your eye feels fine. Tell your clinician about any new pain, discharge, blurry vision or sensitivity to light.
Ask your doctor whether you can drive, look at screens, or work around dust or chemicals while healing. Ask your employer about tasks that fit your restrictions.
Before going back, ask about eye protection and eyewash stations in your area. Keep your employer and adjuster updated.
Questions to ask
- Doctor: How badly was my eye affected, and when should I be checked again?
- Doctor: Is it safe for me to drive or work at a screen?
- Doctor: What signs mean I need to come back right away?
- Employer: Which chemical was it, and can I have the safety data sheet?
- Employer: Was the eyewash station working and inspected?
- Adjuster: What is my claim number, and can I see an eye specialist under my claim?
- Attorney: There was no eye protection available. Does that matter?
Frequently asked questions
What do I do if I get a chemical splash in my eyes at work?
Start flushing the eye with clean running water or an eyewash station immediately and have someone call 911. Keep the eyelids open and keep flushing for an extended time. Do not rub the eye.
How long should I flush my eye after a chemical splash?
Flush for a long time, not a few seconds, and follow responders' or the safety data sheet's guidance. Many people stop too soon because the pain eases. Keep going until help tells you to stop.
Should I go to the ER for a chemical in my eye even if it feels better?
Yes, chemical eye injuries need prompt evaluation even when they start to feel better. Some chemicals keep causing damage. Call 911 or go to emergency care.
Should I take my contact lenses out after a chemical splash?
If they come out easily while you are flushing, yes, but do not delay rinsing to remove them. Keep flushing. Tell responders you wear contacts.
Is a chemical eye injury covered by workers' comp?
Eye injuries from chemicals at work are often handled through workers' compensation, depending on your state and situation. Report it in writing as soon as you can. Check deadlines with your state's agency.
Can a chemical splash cause permanent eye damage?
It can in some cases, which is why fast flushing and emergency care matter. Only an eye care clinician can assess your eye. Keep all follow-up visits.
Related situations
Industries where this often happens
Prescriptions.plus is an educational portal. We are not a pharmacy, law firm, medical provider, insurer or claims administrator, and nothing here is medical or legal advice. Educational purposes only. Workers' compensation rules and deadlines vary by state — check with your state's workers' compensation agency. Medical emergency? Call 911. Hurt outside of work? Personal-injury legal help: attorneys.plus (coming soon).