From the Guidelines
To treat chlorine irritation in eyes, immediately flush your eyes with clean, cool water for 15 minutes, as recommended by the 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1. When flushing your eyes, remove contact lenses first if you're wearing them, and tilt your head so water flows from the inner corner outward.
- After rinsing, artificial tears like Systane or Refresh can help soothe irritation.
- Avoid rubbing your eyes as this can worsen irritation.
- If you experience severe pain, vision changes, or symptoms don't improve within a few hours, seek medical attention immediately. Chlorine causes irritation by forming hypochlorous acid when mixed with water, which irritates the delicate eye tissues. Most mild cases resolve within 24 hours with proper rinsing, as supported by the latest guidelines 1. For future prevention, wear swim goggles when in chlorinated pools and avoid opening eyes underwater in chlorinated water. It is also reasonable to use normal saline, Ringer’s lactate solution, or a commercial eye wash solution if immediately available for eye irrigation, as stated in the 2024 guidelines 1. In cases of industrial chemical exposure, it is recommended to adhere to local guidelines or recommendations from a poison center 1.
From the Research
Chlorine Irritation in Eyes
- Chlorine gas is a hazardous substance that can cause severe health effects when inhaled or exposed to the skin, and the eyes are particularly sensitive to chlorine gas 2
- Exposure to chlorine gas can cause various symptoms in the eyes, ranging from mild irritation to severe damage, including redness, burning, tearing, and blurred vision 2
- In more serious cases, exposure to chlorine gas can cause permanent damage to the eyes, including corneal ulcers, scarring, and blindness 2
Treatment and Prevention
- Immediate irrigation of the eye is essential to minimize preventable loss of vision in cases of chemical injury, including chlorine gas exposure 3
- Topical anesthetics, such as proparacaine, can provide temporary relief from ocular pain, but their use should be cautious and limited to avoid complications, including further corneal injury and vision loss 4, 5, 6
- The use of proparacaine eye drops in combination with ophthalmic antibiotics can affect corneal wound healing, and regular proparacaine with antibiotics can have the most pronounced negative effects on corneal wound healing parameters 5
Important Considerations
- Chlorine gas is heavier than air and tends to settle in low-lying areas, and it is highly reactive and can react with other substances to form hazardous compounds 2
- It is essential to be aware of the signs and symptoms of chlorine gas exposure and the potential long-term effects to take the necessary steps to protect oneself 2