Rinse your eye immediately with lukewarm clean water for several minutes, remove any contact lenses as soon as you can, and avoid rubbing the eye — if pain, redness or blurred vision continue after rinsing, get it checked by a pharmacist or doctor.

Immediate First Aid Steps

  • Turn on a tap to a gentle, lukewarm flow and hold your eye under it, or use an eyewash if you have one
  • Keep the eye open as much as you can bear while rinsing, tilting your head so water runs away from your other eye
  • Remove contact lenses as soon as possible, ideally right at the start of rinsing
  • Rinse for a good few minutes, not just a quick splash — alcohol and fragrance oils need proper flushing out

When to Get Further Help

If your eye remains painful, red, sensitive to light, or your vision is affected after a thorough rinse, treat that as a reason to see a pharmacist or GP, or go to A&E if symptoms are severe. This is uncomfortable but rarely dangerous with a quick, proper rinse — the main mistake people make is not rinsing for long enough or rubbing the eye out of instinct, which can make irritation worse. Our guide to fixing common perfume mistakes, part of the complete guide to perfume, covers other everyday mishaps like this.