How long should irrigation be continued?
There is no set rule on length of time for irrigation, as it varies depending on the type of injury being treated. The general guideline is to irrigate until the conjunctival pH is 7.5 to 8, although it is necessary to ensure that the pH of the anterior chamber is corrected, especially with alkali burns. Goldfrank’s Toxicologic Emergencies recommends multiple checks of the lower fornix every 5 to 10 minutes following irrigation with at least two liters of solution per affected eye, continuing until the pH is between 7.5 and 8.
