# Eye Irrigation

## Overview

This module describes how to irrigate the eye to treat superficial foreign bodies, or chemical or thermal eye injuries.

## Indications

## Contraindications

## Patient information and consent

Always verify your patient’s identity and obtain informed consent before proceeding.

### How do I explain this procedure?

“I need to rinse out your eye to remove what is irritating it.”

### What can my patient expect?

“I’ll give you an eye drop to reduce pain, and then I’ll rinse your eye with lots of water. It will be a little uncomfortable, but it’s important to prevent further injury to your eye. I’ll also lift up your eyelids so that the water washes away anything stuck there.”

### What is my patient’s role?

“Tell me if you have any allergies. Try not to squeeze your eye shut, stay relaxed and let me keep rinsing the eye, even if it’s uncomfortable. Afterwards, avoid touching the eye. I will give you sterile gauze packs to wipe around your eye if necessary. Always wash your hands beforehand and throw away the gauze immediately.”

## Preparation

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### Documentation

### Equipment

## Site & Positioning

Position the patient with the affected eye closest to the ground to avoid contaminating the unaffected eye.

## Procedure

Follow medical asepsis without gloves.

## Troubleshooting

I don’t have a Morgan lens.

Use the tubing of a winged set (butterfly needle). Cut off the needle and use it to poke holes in the tubing. Tie a knot at the end of the tubing. Attach the tubing to the IV giving set. To use, place a loop of the tubing under the eyelids, well into the upper and lower fornices, and secure the tubing to the face with tape. Open the IV giving set to irrigate.

I cannot open the eyelids.

Put topical anaesthetic drops in the eye. Use eyelid retractors or make your own retractors with paperclips to open the eyelids. Clean them with an alcohol swab before insertion.

## Risks

## References