Why is foam dangerous for your eyes? What to know as 10 Canadians end up in hospital with 'pain' after foam party

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In a disturbing turn of events in Kingston, Ont., a foam party allegedly resulted in eye injuries for 10 people. The Kingston Health Sciences Centre's Emergency Department found itself treating a sudden influx of patients suffering from "chemical eye exposure."

While the hospital upheld patient confidentiality and did not confirm attendance at the foam event, two patients linked their eye injuries to the foam-filled festivities at Stages Nightclub, a popular spot among students.

"My skin's burning, my eyes are on fire and the pain was just unbelievable," Bryan Kirkham told CBC News. "It was one of the worst pains I felt." Another woman who CBC did not identify said: "It was kind of like someone was slashing your eyes almost, with a knife. It was just really painful and not a feeling that would go away even when your eyes were closed."

This incident has sparked a discussion about the safety of foam parties, shedding light on the potential dangers lurking within those frothy bubbles.

A Fredericton optometrist and past president of the Canadian Association of Optometrists, Dr. Harry Bohnsack, told Yahoo Canada eye safety needs to be taken seriously. Here's what you should know.

Why is foam dangerous for the eyes?

Bohnsack explained, "party foam isn't just soap and water. It often contains foaming agents, surfactants, and preservatives, which can be harmful." Foam can also contain a chemical called sodium lauryl sulfate, which can wreak havoc on the eye's delicate surface.

These chemicals, particularly when not diluted properly or if too alkaline, can aggressively attack the eye, leading to inflammation and discomfort.

Bohnsack added this Ontario incident isn't the first of its kind. In 2012 in Florida, 56 people experienced eye injuries following a foam party at a nightclub and 60 per cent of those people experienced eye injuries. "For those people who are involved, it's not something to be taken lightly," he claimed.

Of the Florida partiers, 94 per cent had eye irritation and 91 per cent had severe eye pain. About half of them had corneal abrasions (scratches on the clear protective "window" of the eye), and for some, it took about a month to recover.

"These can be really, really serious. In seven cases, the symptoms were still there, and they were not fully resolved even a month after the party," Bohnsack said. "It's just something to be really taken with caution."

First signs of chemical exposure to the eyes

Immediate signs of chemical exposure to the eyes include:

• Stinging and burning sensations

• Redness and irritation

• Watering or excessive tearing

• Blurred vision

• Sensitivity to light

If you're experiencing these symptoms, "that should really alert you that you should be rinsing out that substance immediately," Bohnsack stated.

He explained eye injuries can not only put someone in danger when driving, but they can have long-lasting consequences. "We need that cornea to be absolutely transparent and clear in order to function normally in our day to day lives. So anything that's a severely jeopardizes the cornea, like in the rare cases where there's a corneal ulceration, that could really have a lifelong effect on the clarity of vision."

What to do if your eyes are irritated or injured

If you suspect your eyes have been exposed to harmful chemicals, act fast, advised Bohnsack. He outlined the immediate steps to take:

1. Rinse your eyes for at least 15 minutes

2. Seek medical attention promptly to assess and treat any damage

"You're literally going to hold the eyes open, ideally with an eyewash station but any source of water that you can find, and rinse the eyes continuously," the expert said. "Once you've done that seek urgent care."

How can I keep my eyes safe?

At events like foam parties, Bohnsack advises to "certainly avoid getting any contact with your face or eyes." It's important to remember: don't rub your eyes.

"If something like foam or anything else is likely to possibly hit you, I would suggest maybe keeping your sunglasses on — it's not a bad idea."

While the danger of foam parties is relevant, Bohnsack said "a lot of injuries occur actually at home," and "a lot of those injuries can be prevented by wearing proper eye protection."

Activities that require some eye safety caution include:

• Yard work: Use protective eyewear to prevent injuries from debris or low-hanging branches

• Using power tools: Wear CSA certified safety glasses to protect your eyes from potential harm

• Walking in areas with low hanging branches: Be mindful of your surroundings

• Contact lens usage: Proper use and care of contact lenses are essential to avoid complications

• Solar eclipses: Use proper eclipse glasses to safeguard your eyes

• Sun exposure: Wear UV protection glasses when to reduce the risk of eye damage

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