During OC eye decontamination, which item should be removed before flushing?

During OC eye decontamination, which item should be removed before flushing?

• A. Contact lenses
• B. Eyeglasses
• C. Eye shadow
• D. Hair pin

Answer: (A)

When decontaminating the eyes after OC spray, the goal is to remove anything that might block or prolong irrigation. The most important item to remove before flushing is contact lenses. Lenses can trap OC between the lens and the eye, preventing the irrigating fluid from reaching the surface and washing the irritant away. They can also absorb OC and then release it back onto the eye as you rinse, extending irritation or increasing injury risk. Once the lenses are out, you can flush thoroughly to clear the chemical from the eye. Eyeglasses, eye shadow, and a hair pin don’t pose the same barrier to irrigation, so they’re not as critical to remove specifically for flushing, though you may adjust or remove eyewear as needed to access the eyes during decontamination.

When decontaminating the eyes after OC spray, the goal is to remove anything that might block or prolong irrigation. The most important item to remove before flushing is contact lenses. Lenses can trap OC between the lens and the eye, preventing the irrigating fluid from reaching the surface and washing the irritant away. They can also absorb OC and then release it back onto the eye as you rinse, extending irritation or increasing injury risk. Once the lenses are out, you can flush thoroughly to clear the chemical from the eye.

Eyeglasses, eye shadow, and a hair pin don’t pose the same barrier to irrigation, so they’re not as critical to remove specifically for flushing, though you may adjust or remove eyewear as needed to access the eyes during decontamination.