Although many burns result in only minor discomfort, every chemical exposure or burn should be taken seriously. Permanent damage is possible and can be life-altering. The severity of a burn depends on what substance caused it and how long the substance had contact with the eye. Damage tends to occur to the front of the eye.
Industries use a variety of chemicals daily.
However, household chemicals can be just as dangerous and must be treated cautiously. The acidity or alkalinity, called the pH, of a substance is measured on a scale from 1-14. If a substance is neither acid nor alkaline, it is neutral, and its pH number is 7. Alkali burns are the most dangerous. Alkalis chemicals that have a high pH penetrate the surface of the eye and can cause severe injury.