Hand Sanitizer and Eye Injury: Risks Greatest in Children

A study published in JAMA Ophthalmology reports that the use of hand sanitizers during the pandemic has been connected with growing numbers of eye injuries, particularly among children. Increased exposure to alcohol-based hand sanitizer has shown “a corresponding increase in surgeries required to manage severe injuries resulting from these exposures. Chemical injuries vary in severity, from mild …to severe and vision-threatening…” Dangers can be abated with increased awareness and public safety measures to keep sanitizers away from children, as well as public education about first aid measures following exposure (i.e., irrigating the eye) and the importance of an eye exam, to diagnose and treat any impact of chemical injury to the eyes. Read more about it.