From the Guidelines
Normal saline should not be the first choice for eye irrigation, as a commercial eye irrigation solution is preferred due to its balanced salt composition and potential for better outcomes, as demonstrated in the 2024 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines for first aid 1. However, in the absence of a commercial eye irrigation solution, normal saline (0.9% sodium chloride solution) can be safely used to irrigate eyes. It's an appropriate solution for flushing out irritants, debris, or chemicals from the eye because its salt concentration matches that of human tears, making it isotonic and non-irritating to eye tissues. For eye irrigation, use sterile normal saline solution, which is available over-the-counter at pharmacies as eye wash or saline solution specifically labeled for ocular use. To irrigate an eye, tilt the head toward the affected side, gently hold the eyelids open, and direct a gentle stream of saline across the eye from the inner corner (near the nose) toward the outer corner, allowing the solution to wash away contaminants. Continue irrigation for at least 15-20 minutes for chemical exposures or until the irritant is removed. Normal saline is preferred over tap water for eye irrigation because tap water can be hypotonic and potentially damage delicate eye cells through osmotic pressure differences, as noted in previous guidelines 1. If severe eye pain, vision changes, or symptoms persist after irrigation, seek immediate medical attention. It is also important to contact a local poison control center or seek help from a medical provider or 9-1-1 for individuals with chemical eye injury, as recommended in the 2015 American Heart Association and American Red Cross guidelines update for first aid 1.
From the Research
Irrigating Eyes with Normal Saline
- There is no direct evidence in the provided studies to suggest that normal saline is used for irrigating eyes.
- The studies primarily focus on the use of normal saline as an intravenous fluid therapy in critically ill patients, wound therapy, and neurosurgery 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
- However, it can be inferred that normal saline is commonly used in medical settings due to its isotonic properties, which may make it a potential candidate for eye irrigation.
- Nevertheless, without specific studies on the use of normal saline for eye irrigation, it is unclear whether it is a recommended or safe practice 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.
Alternative Solutions
- Some studies suggest that balanced salt solutions may be preferred over normal saline in certain medical contexts due to their ability to maintain acid-base balance and electrolyte levels 4, 5.
- However, it is unclear whether these solutions would be suitable for eye irrigation.
- Further research would be necessary to determine the safety and efficacy of using normal saline or other solutions for eye irrigation.
Limitations
- The provided studies do not directly address the use of normal saline for eye irrigation.
- The findings of these studies may not be generalizable to the context of eye irrigation.
- More research is needed to fully understand the potential risks and benefits of using normal saline for eye irrigation 2, 3, 4, 5, 6.