Eye Wash

First Aid for Eyes

Eye wash is used as an emergency first aid measure when foreign bodies or chemicals come in contact with the eye. The purpose of eyewash is to wash out harmful substance or particles before they cause further damage or irritation. Eye wash can be stored either in the form of a bottle or pod in a first aid kit, or in an eye wash kit stored in an eye wash station that has been mounted on the wall. In order to comply with health and safety regulations eyewash stations must be placed in all areas, where the eye is at risk of coming in contact with dangerous substances in order to wash the eye as quickly as possible. 

Most eyewashes are about 99% purified water and are sterile. But they can have small amounts of other ingredients, too, including trace amounts of salt and boric acid. Eyewash solution is sterile so as to prevent bacteria or viruses from entering the eye via the rinsing solution. Eyewash bottles are available in different volumes (e.g. 50 ml, 250 ml or 500 ml bottles) and some eye wash bottles are fitted with a special applicator, which ensures that the solution can be directed to the eye. The cleansing time is indicated by the manufacturer of the respective eye wash. After opening the eye wash bottle, the solution may only be used once. This prevents germs from getting into the eye wash and contaminating the next user.

In our online shop, you may purchase bottles of eye wash for mobile use, such as the oculav NIT® Emergency Eye Wash, as well as for stationary use in the form of an eye wash station with wall mounting, such as the PLUM Emergency Eye Rinse Station with Wall Box. At Praxisdienst you will be sure to find an approriate ready-to-use eyewash for rapid intervention in the event of incidents involving, for example, acid or foreign bodies in the eye.

As a rule, emergency first aid eyewash can be applied by the injured person as well as by a colleague, medical officer or paramedic. Since the eyes are very sensitive and should be washed as quickly as possible, each emergency eyewash station for wall mounting is equipped with an illustrated guide to aid the concerned person in performing the eye wash procedure without help.

Eye Wash Solution: Saline or Buffer?

Different types of emergency eye washes are used, depending on whether the purpose is for flushing out chemicals or removing particles from the eye. For example, the 0.9 % sodium chloride eyewash solution that we stock is excellent for removing irritants like dust, dirt or splinters from the eye, as the natural sodium content of the saline eyewash solution matches that of the eye. However, the sodium chloride eyewash solution is not suited for rinsing out acids or alkalis. Instead, the affected person may use so-called buffered eyewash solutions that bind and neutralise the chemical splashes.

Depending on which substances are being worked with, workplaces should have an appropriate eyewash station. In order to provide quick access to the eyewash solution, these eye wash stations for wall mounting should be placed in a central location and indicated with a safety sign, if possible. 

Eye Wash Solutions & Accessories

In our online shop, we stock a selection of affordable sterile eyewashes from Plum and Söhngen - from the Plum eye rinse bottles with 250 ml or 500 ml for your first aid kit, up to eyewash stations with the required materials for mounting on a wall included in the delivery. View our selection of bottles of eyewash, eye wash kits and eye wash stations today.

Further articles for first aid, e.g. first aid kits and first aid kit refills, as well as equipment for resuscitation and monitoring of patients can be found in the practical overview of the Emergency category.

Do you have questions about our eyewash, wall mounted eyewash stations or other first aid equipment, e.g. a first aid kit? Perhaps you are looking for a particular station or kit? Our customer service will be happy to help via telephone, e-mail or live chat.