What is Eye Wash: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Eye Wash overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Sterile Eye Wash, Eye Clean, Sterile Eye Wash, OcuFresh Eye Wash, Optigene Eye Wash, Leader Eye Wash, Mediwash Eye Irrigant, Eye-Stream, Eye Wash, Advanced Eye Relief, Balanced Salt Solution, BSS Plus, Collyrium For Fresh Eyes, Eye-Cept Rewetting Drops, Muro-128, Sochlor, Eye Care, OcuFresh Eye Wash

Generic Names:

  • Eye Wash

Uses:

  • Used to wash out eyes to relieve irritation, discomfort, or itching, or to remove a chemical or foreign material from the eye., Used to relieve swollen cornea.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antidote, Eye Wash, Surgical Aid, Ocular, Eye Wash, Osmotherapy Agent

Forms:

  • Liquid, Liquid, Ointment, Drop

How it’s taken:

  • Into the eye, Into the eye

What is Eye Wash used for?

What form(s) does Eye Wash come in

  • Liquid

  • Liquid

  • Ointment

  • Drop

What are common Eye Wash doses?

  • Bottle 15ML of

  • Bottle 30ML of

  • Bottle 118ML of

Common Eye Wash prescriptions

  • Eye Wash
    118ml of bottle

  • Eye Wash
    118ml of 99.05% bottle

How to take Eye Wash

  • Ophthalmic routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.

  • Ophthalmic routeTo use the ointment: Hold the tip of the tube close to your eye with the other hand. Avoid touching the tip of the tube to your eye or finger. Squeeze a ribbon of ointment into the pocket between your lower lid and eyeball. Close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Wipe the tip with a clean tissue and close the tube tightly. Keep the tube tightly closed when you are not using it.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Missed dose: Topical application routeApply a dose as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and apply a regular dose. Do not apply extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Ophthalmic routeTo use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Ophthalmic routeLie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

  • Ophthalmic routeLie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket.

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

  • Ophthalmic routeTo use the ointment: Hold the tip of the tube close to your eye with the other hand. Avoid touching the tip of the tube to your eye or finger. Squeeze a ribbon of ointment into the pocket between your lower lid and eyeball. Close your eyes for 1 to 2 minutes. Wipe the tip with a clean tissue and close the tube tightly. Keep the tube tightly closed when you are not using it.

  • Ophthalmic routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Ophthalmic routeTo use the eye drops: Hold the dropper close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into the pocket made between your lower lid and eyeball. Gently close your eyes. Place your index finger over the inner corner of your eye for 1 minute. Do not rinse or wipe the dropper or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away. Keep the bottle upright when you are not using it.

  • Missed dose: Topical application routeApply a dose as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and apply a regular dose. Do not apply extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

  • Ophthalmic routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine. Remove contact lenses before using this medicine. Shake the bottle well just before each use.

  • To use right out of the bottle: Ophthalmic routeLie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket. Hold the bottle tip close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into your eye, or squeeze the bottle to direct a steady of stream into the eye.

  • To use with an eye cup: Rinse the eye cup with the eye wash before you use it. Do not let anything else touch the rim and the inside of the eye cup. Fill the cup half full of eye wash. Put the cup over the eye to be rinsed. Press the cup tightly to your skin to keep the liquid from leaking out. Tilt your head back and open your eye wide. Move your eye from side to side and up and down to allow the liquid to wash all parts of the eye.

  • Do not rinse or wipe the bottle tip or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away.

  • To use with an eye cup: Rinse the eye cup with the eye wash before you use it. Do not let anything else touch the rim and the inside of the eye cup. Fill the cup half full of eye wash. Put the cup over the eye to be rinsed. Press the cup tightly to your skin to keep the liquid from leaking out. Tilt your head back and open your eye wide. Move your eye from side to side and up and down to allow the liquid to wash all parts of the eye.

  • Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.

  • To use right out of the bottle: Ophthalmic routeLie down or tilt your head back. With your index finger, pull down the lower lid of your eye to form a pocket. Hold the bottle tip close to your eye with the other hand. Drop the correct number of drops into your eye, or squeeze the bottle to direct a steady of stream into the eye.

  • Ophthalmic routeWash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine. Remove contact lenses before using this medicine. Shake the bottle well just before each use.

  • Do not rinse or wipe the bottle tip or allow it to touch anything, including your eye. Put the cap on the bottle right away.

  • Follow the instructions on the medicine label if you are using this medicine without a prescription.

What to do if you miss a dose of Eye Wash

  • This medicine is to be used when needed. Follow the directions on the label.

  • Ophthalmic routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of the used medicine container and any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.

Eye Wash contraindications

  • This medicine is generally considered safe for most people. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns.

  • Do not use if you have had an allergic reaction to any of the ingredients in the eye wash you are using. Be sure to read the label. Do not use if the liquid changes color or becomes cloudy.

Eye Wash warnings

  • See a doctor right away if you have an open wound in or near your eye, if your eye was burned with a chemical, or if you have a foreign object in your eye that you cannot rinse out.

  • Eye pain, redness, or irritation that is not relieved by using this product.

  • Ophthalmic routeIf you hurt your eye, develop an eye infection, or need to have eye surgery, talk with your doctor right away. You may need to change your medicine or stop using it.

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have other eye problems.

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.

Eye Wash interactions

  • See a doctor right away if you have an open wound in or near your eye, if your eye was burned with a chemical, or if you have a foreign object in your eye that you cannot rinse out.

Eye Wash side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Changes in vision, eye pain, continued redness of the eye

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Changes in vision.

  • Eye pain, redness, or irritation that is not relieved by using this product.

Less Serious Side Effects

  • New or worsening eye symptoms.

  • Temporary burning and irritation of the eye