Rosh Emergency Medicine Practice Test

What is the best initial step in managing a chemical eye injury from hair dye?

1. Administer calcium salts

2. Administer copper sulfate

3. Administer topical erythromycin

4. Irrigate with water

The correct answer is: Irrigate with water

In the case of a chemical eye injury from hair dye, the best initial step in management is to irrigate the eye with water. This is crucial because immediate irrigation helps to dilute and remove the caustic substance that may cause further damage to the ocular tissues. Rapid treatment can minimize complications such as corneal burns, inflammation, and long-term vision loss. Specifically, using water or a saline solution to flush the eye will help to reduce the pH of the chemical agent, neutralizing its effects and providing immediate relief from pain and irritation. The longer the chemical remains in contact with the eye, the more severe the damage can become, which underscores the urgency of this action. Other options, such as administering calcium salts or copper sulfate, are not appropriate in this context because they may not effectively address the specific nature of the injury caused by hair dye. Moreover, administering topical erythromycin, while it may be used later to prevent infection, is not the first step in managing the immediate chemical exposure. Thus, the primary focus should always be on flushing the eye to mitigate the effects of the chemical exposure as quickly as possible.