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Because of a shortage of alcohol disinfectant, many people may now be disinfecting with sodium hypochlorite.
The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare,
in its guidance for social welfare facilities, “Coronavirus measures: let’s keep our surroundings clean,”
recommends the use of sodium hypochlorite.
https://www.mhlw.go.jp/content/000617981.pdf
Haiter® (Kao)、Kaneyo Bleach (Kaneyo Soap)、Bleach (Mitsuei)and other chlorine-based bleaches are alkaline.
Alkaline liquids are “lipophilic,” and they dissolve the eye much faster than acidic liquids:
They saponify the fatty acids of cell membranes (alkaline hydrolysis of fats and oils), penetrate the corneal stroma, and destroy the proteoglycan matrix and collagen fibers. The destroyed cells produce protein-degrading enzymes, and the damage spreads deep into the eye in a short time.1。
“Alkali eye injury” can leave severe damage to the eye, sometimes to the point of blindness.
That is why it is an emergency condition that even eye clinics and hospitals greatly fear.2。
When using a hypochlorite disinfectant, please take great care to keep it out of your eyes,
and if it should get into your eyes, wash them immediately with running water and see a nearby eye doctor.
(References)
1. Fish, R., Davidson, R.S., 2010. Management of ocular thermal and chemical injuries, including amniotic membrane therapy. Curr Opin Ophthalmol 21, 317–321. https://doi.org/10.1097/ICU.0b013e32833a8da2
2. Baradaran-Rafii, A., Eslani, M., Haq, Z., Shirzadeh, E., Huvard, M.J., Djalilian, A.R., 2017. Current and Upcoming Therapies for Ocular Surface Chemical Injuries. The Ocular Surface 15, 48–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtos.2016.09.002
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