The immediate burning, redness and excessive tearing can be alarming. But can soap actually make you go blind if it gets in your eyes? In this piece, we’ll discuss the impact soap can have on eye health, what to do in the event of an exposure, and when to consult with a healthcare provider.
What Effect Does Soap Have on the Eyes?
Soap is made up of certain ingredients that are intended to break down oils and wash away dirt, which is why it's effective for washing hands, face and hair. But these same cleansing agents can irritate the delicate tissues of the eye.
Common Ingredients in Soap That Can Irritate Eyes
Surfactants serve as the cleaning agents which break down oil but they also damage the natural tear film layer causing dryness together with irritation.
The addition of both perfumes and preservatives in soaps initiates allergic responses and inflammation throughout skin that is sensitive.
The normal pH equilibrium of the eyes matches poorly with soaps containing high pH that alters its natural state to create discomfort.
Soap in Eyes Immediate Reactions
If soap gets in your eyes, your body will immediately respond to protect itself in the following manner:
Increased lacrimation: As an attempt to eliminate the irritant.
Stinging: Caused by the disruption of the normal tear film that existed prior to exposure.
Bloodshot appearance: Caused by vasodilation secondary to irritation.
Temporary blurry vision: Caused by the potential alteration of corneal integrity secondary to excessive lacrimation.
Therefore, although soap in the eye can be a terrifying experience, soap in the eye rarely has long-term effects because these reactions above naturally dissipate over time. Yet there are certain situations where a soap in eye experience needs to be evaluated.
Will soap in your eyes make you blind?
Not per se—but not from the soap you should be using, at least. But there's a possibility that over time you develop a soap that, if it is not washed out, could contribute to a bigger issue leading to blindness.
Soap in the Eyes Complications
Corneal Abrasion: More of a complication of you getting in trouble than anything with soap. If the soap makes the eyes irritated and you rub them enough, you can get a corneal scratch which hurts, causes photophobia, and irritation long after the fact.
Chemical Conjunctivitis: Some soaps contain chemical irritants which can irritate the outer layer of the eye (the conjunctiva), causing redness, swelling, and irritation.
Chronic Irritation. Soap or shampoo in the eyes strips natural moisture; repeat this exposure, and you can develop dry eye syndrome and subsequent irritation.
Alkaline Burns (very rarely). When an eye comes into contact with a heavily alkaline solution (some store-bought soaps and industrial cleaners), it creates a slight chemical burn that requires attention.
What to Do If You Get Soap in Your Eyes
If soap accidentally enters your eyes, follow these steps immediately to minimize irritation and prevent further damage:
Rinse with clean water immediately. Use lukewarm water and gently flush the eye for at least 15 minutes to remove any remaining soap.
Avoid rubbing your eyes. Rubbing can cause further irritation and increase the risk of corneal scratches.
Blink repeatedly. This helps spread natural tears and flush out any remaining irritants.
Use artificial tears. If dryness persists, lubricating eye drops can help restore moisture and comfort.
Rest your eyes. Avoid staring at screens or bright lights for a while to give your eyes time to recover.
When to See an Eye Doctor
Most soap-related eye irritation resolves within a few hours, but in some cases, you should seek medical attention. Contact an eye doctor in Palo Alto if you experience:
Severe pain or burning that does not improve.
Persistent blurred vision after rinsing.
Excessive redness, swelling, or discharge.
Difficulty keeping your eye open due to light sensitivity.
Signs of infection, such as yellow or green discharge.
Refine Optometry: Your Palo Alto Optomery provides professional eye care for irritations, chemicals, and comprehensive eye exams to keep you seeing great!
How to protect your eyes from irritants
Prevention is always better than treatment. A few of the best ways to not get soap, or any other irritant, in your eyes are:
Close your eyes tightly when you wash your face or hair.
Use mild, tear-free soap.
Be cautious in applying creams and lotions to the areas around your eyes.
When using strong cleaning agents, take care to wear protective eyewear.
Final Thoughts
It's common to get soap in the eyes, and seldom does this involve anything serious. For the patient, the situation may be quite uncomfortable. Complications can be prevented by flushing your eyes immediately and avoiding further irritation. The best course of action would be visiting an Optometrist in Palo Alto if symptoms persist or worsen.
For professional eye care and the treatment of dry, irritated eyes, schedule today with Refine Optometry. Our team's goal is to keep your vision clear and healthy!
