How to get alcohol off your eyes and prevent serious injury

September 22, 2025 •

4 min read

According to the FDA, cases of serious eye injury from alcohol-based hand sanitizer increased significantly during the pandemic, especially among children. If you or someone you know gets alcohol in the eye, knowing how to get alcohol off your eyes and act quickly is the most important step to reduce harm.

Quick Summary

Immediate and thorough rinsing with clean, running water for at least 15–20 minutes is the most critical first aid step. Do not rub the eyes, and seek an urgent eye exam if symptoms persist after flushing.

Key Points

Immediate Flushing: Rinse eyes with a gentle stream of clean, room-temperature water for 15 to 20 minutes immediately following exposure.
Do Not Rub: Avoid rubbing the affected eye as this can cause further damage and spread the alcohol.
Seek Medical Help: Consult a doctor if pain, redness, or vision changes persist after flushing.
Prioritize Children's Safety: Always supervise young children using hand sanitizer and store alcohol-based products out of their reach to prevent eye splashes.
Assess Severity: Know the difference between minor irritation that subsides and a serious chemical burn that requires urgent medical care.
Understand the Risk: Alcohol, particularly high concentrations in sanitizers and rubbing alcohol, is a chemical irritant that can cause corneal damage if not washed out immediately.

Immediate First Aid: What to Do Right Now

If alcohol, whether from hand sanitizer, rubbing alcohol, or a beverage, splashes into your eye, the immediate priority is to flush it out as quickly as possible. Every second counts in minimizing irritation and potential damage to the cornea, the clear, outer layer of your eye.

Step-by-Step Instructions for Flushing the Eye

Do not delay. Start the flushing process within seconds of exposure.
Use clean, running water. Go to the nearest sink, shower, or emergency eyewash station.
Use room-temperature water. Avoid using hot or very cold water, which can cause additional shock or injury to the eye.
Hold your eyelids open. It can be difficult and painful, but it is vital to hold your eyelids open with your fingers to ensure the water reaches all parts of the eye.
Rinse thoroughly for 15 to 20 minutes. This extended rinsing period is essential to dilute and wash away all traces of the alcohol.
Aim the water correctly. Tilt your head to the side and let the water run from the inner corner of the eye (near the nose) to the outer corner. This prevents the alcohol from flushing into your other eye.

Understanding the Risks of Alcohol Exposure to the Eye

Alcohol, especially the high concentrations found in hand sanitizers and rubbing alcohol, is a chemical irritant. The primary risk is chemical burn to the surface of the eye. While it rarely leads to permanent vision loss if treated promptly, it can cause significant pain, inflammation, and damage to the delicate corneal epithelium. The faster the flushing begins, the less severe the injury is likely to be.

Types of Alcohol Exposure

Hand Sanitizer: Often a mix of ethanol or isopropyl alcohol, sometimes with other additives. The gel can make it cling to the eye more than liquid.
Rubbing Alcohol (Isopropyl Alcohol): Typically 70% or 91% alcohol, it is a very strong irritant.
Beverages (Liquor): While generally lower in alcohol content, liquor can still cause irritation and burning.
Perfumes/Colognes: These often contain alcohol and other chemicals that can be damaging to the eye.
Other Alcohol-Based Solvents: Many household cleaners and industrial products contain alcohol and pose a significant risk.

What to Watch for After Flushing

Even after a successful flushing, you should monitor for lingering symptoms. If you experience any of the following, seek immediate medical attention from an ophthalmologist or an emergency room:

Persistent or increasing pain.
Blurred vision.
Sensitivity to light (photophobia).
Continued redness and tearing.
The sensation that something is still in your eye.
Swelling of the eyelids.

Prevention and Safety Tips

The best way to deal with alcohol in the eye is to prevent it from happening in the first place. This is especially important for supervising young children around alcohol-based products.

Supervise children. Always supervise children under age six when they use hand sanitizer. Keep all alcohol-based products out of their sight and reach.
Avoid touching eyes. After applying hand sanitizer, avoid touching your eyes until your hands are completely dry.
Store safely. Store rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, and other chemical products securely, away from children.
Use proper dispensing. Be mindful of where wall-mounted hand sanitizer dispensers are located, as they can sometimes be at eye level for small children.

Medical Intervention vs. Home Care

Most minor alcohol splashes, if properly flushed, will heal on their own. However, a doctor's evaluation is the only way to be certain there has been no significant damage. A medical professional can use special tools to check the surface of the eye for damage and can prescribe lubricating eye drops to help with healing. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration provides vital information on eye injury from alcohol-based hand sanitizers.

Minor Irritation vs. Serious Damage


Feature	Minor Irritation	Serious Chemical Burn
Symptom Severity	Mild, stinging, resolves quickly after flushing.	Intense, sharp, and persistent pain.
Recovery Time	Hours to a day or two.	Days to weeks, requires professional care.
Signs & Symptoms	Redness, watering, slight discomfort.	Severe redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity, swelling.
Needed Action	Thorough flushing (15-20 mins), monitoring.	Thorough flushing (15-20 mins), immediate medical attention.
Underlying Damage	Primarily irritation of the surface cells.	Significant corneal damage, potential for scarring.

Conclusion: Your Eyesight is Not Worth the Risk

When faced with alcohol in the eyes, decisive and immediate action is non-negotiable. While the reflex is to rub the eye, this only worsens the situation by spreading the irritant. The simple act of thorough flushing with water for an extended period is your most effective tool. Do not underestimate the importance of this step. Afterward, listen to your body; if any symptoms persist, err on the side of caution and consult a healthcare provider. Taking these steps can make the difference between temporary discomfort and a more serious, long-term problem.

Frequently Asked Questions

Immediately flush the affected eye with a continuous stream of clean, lukewarm water for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Hold your eyelids open to ensure the water reaches all surfaces of the eye. If symptoms persist after flushing, seek an urgent eye examination.

Severe chemical burns from alcohol can potentially cause permanent damage, especially if not treated promptly. However, with immediate and proper flushing, the prognosis is usually good, and permanent vision loss is rare.

While hand sanitizer in the eye is a serious injury, blindness is a rare outcome. The most common issues are corneal damage and severe irritation. Proper and immediate flushing is the best way to prevent severe complications.

For minor splashes, the stinging and pain should subside shortly after thorough flushing. If the pain is intense or persists for more than a couple of hours after rinsing, it could indicate a more serious injury and warrants a medical evaluation.

If the eye is not properly treated, long-term effects could include chronic dryness, a sensitivity to light, or potential scarring on the cornea. Seeking medical attention after a persistent injury is critical to prevent these issues.

No, you should not use regular eye drops for the initial flush. The priority is to dilute and wash away the chemical with a large volume of water. After the extensive flushing, a doctor might recommend specific lubricating eye drops.

The same flushing procedure applies, but adult supervision is crucial. Children, especially toddlers, are more vulnerable. After flushing for 15-20 minutes, it is highly recommended to seek medical attention to ensure there is no lasting damage.