Wash your hands before touching the eye area
Do not rub the eye
Rinse the eye gently with sterile saline or clean water
Blink several times to help flush out debris
Remove contact lenses if you wear them
Use preservative-free artificial tears if available
Avoid using eye drops labeled for redness relief unless a clinician advises it
Wear sunglasses to reduce light sensitivity
Rest the eye and avoid further irritation
Seek urgent medical care if there is severe pain, vision changes, blood in the eye, a foreign object, chemical exposure, or symptoms that worsen
See an eye doctor promptly if symptoms do not improve within 24 hours