From the Guidelines
It's generally not harmful if a small drop of apple juice gets in your eye, but it's best to rinse it out immediately with clean water. Apple juice is acidic with a pH around 3.5-4.0, which can cause temporary stinging, redness, or irritation. According to the American Heart Association guidelines for first aid, rinsing eyes exposed to toxic substances immediately with a copious amount of water is recommended, unless a specific antidote is available 1. To rinse your eye, tilt your head to the side with the affected eye down, pour clean, room-temperature water from the inner corner (near the nose) outward, or use an eye wash station if available.
- Key points to consider when rinsing the eye include:
- Using clean, room-temperature water
- Pouring water from the inner corner outward
- Blinking several times during rinsing to help flush out the juice
- If irritation persists after rinsing, or if you experience severe pain, vision changes, or continued redness, seek medical attention. The eye has natural defense mechanisms, including tears, to protect itself from minor irritants, but prompt rinsing helps prevent prolonged discomfort.
From the Research
Eye Exposure to Apple Juice
- There are no research papers that directly address the safety of exposing the eye to a drop of apple juice 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- The available studies focus on the nutritional profile of apple juice 2, its effects on plasma lipids 3, conjunctivitis management 4, and the comparison of breath hydrogen response between apple juice and white grape juice 5.
- Another study investigates fruit juice malabsorption, suggesting that factors other than fructose may contribute to malabsorption 6.
- None of these studies provide information on the potential risks or effects of exposing the eye to apple juice.