TwoTrowels
New Member
Yesterday I was skimming a small alcove ceiling when a small bit of multi dropped off the trowel and landed straight in my right eye - I washed it out straight away and carried on.
It felt a bit gritty still but I figured this would pass, I finished what I was doing within about an hour and as I could do no more for the day decided to pack up and go home. At this point it was getting a bit painful so thought I would stop and get some Optrex on the way home, however, on the way home the pain started to get worse so I decided to go to the local minor injuries unit to get it seen to properly.
When I told them what had happened they rushed me into a room (in front of all those that were waiting) and told me I should have gone there immediately as wet plaster is very alkaline and will burn much like cement will. I then had to endure it being flushed with 2 litres of saline solution which was very unpleasant and once they'd finished they made me go to the eye casualty unit at the local hospital.
I was examined by an eye specialist at the hospital who confirmed my cornea is quite badly burned - I now have an ointment and 3 different lots of drops that have to go into the eye up to 6 times a day until further notice and I have to go back to hospital today for a follow up and possibly for the next couple of days too.
I have to say at times it has been excruciatingly painful so please, If you have the misfortune to get wet plaster in your eye SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION!
It was only a small bit of plaster, about the size of a 10p piece which actually landed under my eye but crept over the lower eye lid and into the eye. I have never seen plasterers wear eye protection but I probably will in the future when doing ceilings.
It felt a bit gritty still but I figured this would pass, I finished what I was doing within about an hour and as I could do no more for the day decided to pack up and go home. At this point it was getting a bit painful so thought I would stop and get some Optrex on the way home, however, on the way home the pain started to get worse so I decided to go to the local minor injuries unit to get it seen to properly.
When I told them what had happened they rushed me into a room (in front of all those that were waiting) and told me I should have gone there immediately as wet plaster is very alkaline and will burn much like cement will. I then had to endure it being flushed with 2 litres of saline solution which was very unpleasant and once they'd finished they made me go to the eye casualty unit at the local hospital.
I was examined by an eye specialist at the hospital who confirmed my cornea is quite badly burned - I now have an ointment and 3 different lots of drops that have to go into the eye up to 6 times a day until further notice and I have to go back to hospital today for a follow up and possibly for the next couple of days too.
I have to say at times it has been excruciatingly painful so please, If you have the misfortune to get wet plaster in your eye SEEK IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION!
It was only a small bit of plaster, about the size of a 10p piece which actually landed under my eye but crept over the lower eye lid and into the eye. I have never seen plasterers wear eye protection but I probably will in the future when doing ceilings.