VIEWS FOR 20/20 by Dr. Mark Skowron and Dr. Michelle Skowron CHEMICAL CONJUNCTIVITIS Chemical conjunctivitis is a form of pinkeye caused by irritants such as chlorine in swimming pools, air pollution, smoke, and fumes from chemicals. Chlorine may cause mild symptoms that can usually be managed by flushing out the irritant with running water or saline and applying artificial tears and eye ointment to help manage irritation. Toxic substances, however, can cause serious symptoms including severe pain, redness, swelling, and vision loss. Pinkeye from a toxic substance should be evaluated by an eye doctor. Severe chemical eye injuries, such as an alkali burn, are considered medical emergencies and can lead to scarring, loss of eyesight, and even loss of the eye. Begin flushing the eye with water and seek medical attention immediately. Eye emergencies cover a range of incidents and conditions such as; chemical exposure, trauma, cuts, scratches, foreign objects in the eye, burns, photic retinopathy, and blunt injuries to the eye or eyelid. Since the eye is easily damaged, serious complications can occur from an eye injury thus, any of these conditions without proper treatment can lead to a partial loss of vision or even permanent blindness. To schedule an appointment, please call SKOWRON EYE CARE. At Skowron Eye Care, our mission is your vision. P.S. Chemical pinkeye is not contagious. SKOWRON EYE CARE 370 N. York, Elmhurst, IL 60126 630-834-6244 www.skowroneyecare.com VIEWS FOR 20/20 by Dr. Mark Skowron and Dr. Michelle Skowron CHEMICAL CONJUNCTIVITIS Chemical conjunctivitis is a form of pinkeye caused by irritants such as chlorine in swimming pools , air pollution , smoke , and fumes from chemicals . Chlorine may cause mild symptoms that can usually be managed by flushing out the irritant with running water or saline and applying artificial tears and eye ointment to help manage irritation . Toxic substances , however , can cause serious symptoms including severe pain , redness , swelling , and vision loss . Pinkeye from a toxic substance should be evaluated by an eye doctor . Severe chemical eye injuries , such as an alkali burn , are considered medical emergencies and can lead to scarring , loss of eyesight , and even loss of the eye . Begin flushing the eye with water and seek medical attention immediately . Eye emergencies cover a range of incidents and conditions such as ; chemical exposure , trauma , cuts , scratches , foreign objects in the eye , burns , photic retinopathy , and blunt injuries to the eye or eyelid . Since the eye is easily damaged , serious complications can occur from an eye injury thus , any of these conditions without proper treatment can lead to a partial loss of vision or even permanent blindness . To schedule an appointment , please call SKOWRON EYE CARE . At Skowron Eye Care , our mission is your vision . P.S. Chemical pinkeye is not contagious . SKOWRON EYE CARE 370 N. York , Elmhurst , IL 60126 630-834-6244 www.skowroneyecare.com