What is the primary goal when managing chemical burns to the eye?

The primary goal when managing chemical burns to the eye is to provide continuous irrigation to neutralize the chemical. This is critical because chemical burns can cause severe damage to the ocular tissues, and immediate irrigation is essential to dilute and wash away the caustic substance. Rinsing the eye with copious amounts of clean water or saline can help minimize tissue damage and preserve vision.

Prompt irrigation helps to remove the chemical from the eye, preventing further injury and promoting healing. The effectiveness of this intervention is time-sensitive; the sooner irrigation begins after exposure, the better the outcome is likely to be.

While preventing infection, reducing inflammation and pain, and assessing visual acuity are important aspects of comprehensive eye care after a chemical burn, they are secondary to the immediate need for irrigation. Neutralizing the chemical threat takes precedence in the initial management of the injury.