What to do when smoke gets in your eyes

Sitting by a bonfire on the beach, a crackling campfire in the woods, or having a pipe in the library before going a little hard on Wally and the Beaver: all of these things can get smoke in your eyes. When this happens, you definitely know it. That sudden sting, followed by watering and wincing and the irresistible urge to rub your eyes until the pain stops, is unmistakable. That said, can smoke damage your eyes for real? Or is it merely an uncomfortable inconvenience?

The impact of smoke on your eyes

Getting anything in your eyes can be a problem. Apart from contact lenses and eye drops, you really shouldn't have anything in there except your own natural tears. Smoke is made mostly of small particles that can be as irritating as a noisy little brother when they touch sensitive mucous membranes. This goes beyond simple irritation and on to more serious health problems. 

Effects of smoke on eye health

In small amounts, smoke in your eyes is mostly harmless - not fun, mind you, but not an emergency. It stings and makes your eyes water, and if it goes on long enough, you could be left with red, itchy eyes that last from minutes to hours. Your eyes will also probably snap shut as your body instinctively tries to protect your eyes from further exposure (way to go, autonomic nervous system).

Common sources of smoke exposure

You can get smoke in the eyes from basically any source of burning this-and-that. Tobacco products, fireplaces, bonfires, wildfires, and such all produce smoke, and that smoke drifts downwind. If that's where you happen to be standing, some of it can get in your eyes. You might also be exposed to airborne smoke if you work in smoky or poorly ventilated spaces or with tools that throw off a lot of particles and smoke from the workplace.

Smoking with contacts

Can you smoke with contacts? Technically yes, but you probably shouldn't.

It will come as no surprise to people who smoke that there are unique health risks for smokers regarding smoke exposure, both internal and external. Smoking while wearing contact lenses can increase your odds of developing irritation and infections, especially if an unhealthy dose of smoke manages to get under your lenses.

Can smoke damage your eyes?

So, can smoke from fire damage your eyes? Kind of, yeah. Besides the short-term damage, which usually clears up over time, long-term exposure can eventually cause conjunctivitis, infection, or even some vision loss.

Getting smoke in your eyes is like getting hot peppers on your tongue. It's not the end of the world if it happens, but you'll definitely have second thoughts when it happens to you. 

What to do when smoke gets in your eyes

If you've gotten smoke in your eyes, it's safe to say the experience will have your full attention for however long it lasts. Here's how to manage the situation.

Immediate steps

The first thing to remember is to stay calm. Rinse your eyes with clean water to flush out the irritants. If it is at all possible, try to avoid rubbing them. This can cause further irritation and make the whole experience worse.

Use eye drops

Eye drops, sometimes called artificial tears, can provide moderate relief from the dryness and irritation caused by smoke exposure. Look for drops specifically designed for dry eyes, and follow the instructions to make sure you're using them correctly.

Clearing the smoke

Smoke in the eyes is no laughing matter (unless it's happening to somebody else, in which case we make no promises). By taking a few simple precautions and knowing how to handle the situation, you can keep the discomfort under control. If the whole thing is just too much, or if you have any health concerns about your eyes, remember you're always better off seeing an eye care professional without delay.

FAQs

Can smoke exposure cause permanent eye damage?

Anything that goes into your eyes that shouldn't be there can cause permanent damage. It generally takes a while for this to happen with environmental smoke exposure, but really, the less you get, the better off you are.

How can I protect my eyes during a wildfire or smoky environment?

Keep the fires you build as low as is practical to minimize the smoke coming from them. Stand upwind as much as possible - especially if the camp cook made beans for dinner. Use lubricating eye drops as freely as you like, and think about eye protection, especially in a smoky shop environment. Try to keep exposure times to a minimum overall.

Is it safe to wear contact lenses around smoke?

You generally can wear contact lenses around smoke, but if it gets to be too much, you should take them out. Better yet, leave and go somewhere with better air quality, if you can.