Is it okay to flush my eye out with water if I feel something in it?

Water is a mysterious instrument of wonderful benefits and horrible consequences all wrapped up in one package.  Let's set the record straight on when to use water for good and when not to use it at all.

Let's say you get something in your eye, maybe a leaf or even a chemical substance.  Immediately run over to a water source, cup some water in your hands and place your eye in the cup and open your eye, repeat for two minutes.  This will sting since the pH of your eye doesn't match that of water.  This is for a naked eye, no contact lenses.  If the eye has a contact lens, it must be removed first before raising, hence the reason most people working with chemicals are instructed to not wear contact.  As you can imagine it's very difficult to remove a contact lens from an eye in pain still it must be done.  The reasoning is that water contains many contaminants that may infect the eye; parasites, fungus, bacteria, added chemicals.  Contact lenses are sponges that absorb all those harmful particles.  You may have flushed the object that entered your eye but now there are microbes latching onto the surface of the contact lens, within hours you could be dealing with a serious infection that may be complicated to treat.  For this exact reason no one should soak contact lenses in water instead of contact lens cleaning solution, ever.

If the water flush makes the eye feel worse or your symptoms have not yet subsided I suggest calling your eye care professional for a consult.  Most medical physician don’t have the proper equipment/microscope to look closely at the eye, I suggest an Optometrist or Ophthalmologist specifically.  You want someone to look first before dispensing medication. 

See and Be Seen! at Eyed LA Optometry in Brentwood, West Los Angeles
www.eyedla.com