TIFU I put 3% Hydrogen Peroxide in my eye

Submitted by Boredashell2000 t3_124z0l7 in tifu

I've worn contacts intermittently for the last 10 years. Recently I left my contact solution at my parents' house (I'm in college), but I was surprised to find two solution bottles (Equate, a brand I've never used) in my closet.

The saline solution bottle said it should NEVER (yes, it's in all caps) be used for soft contact lens disinfection, and DO NOT use this for storage of contact lenses. The other bottle (I barely noticed that it had a red cap) simply said it "cleans, disinfection, and stores" contacts.

Obviously I'm pretty ignorant about eye care, since I've never used hydrogen peroxide for cleaning contacts; I've always just stored them overnight in saline solution. But the all caps warning label on the saline convinced me that the other bottle was the safer option.

This morning (shortly before an accounting exam, naturally) I put in my right contact and experienced searing eye pain. Luckily I was able to extract the contact in about 10 seconds. I washed my eyes out (with water, but I later washed with saline), and I feel only mild discomfort now. (Here's a picture of my eyes--judge for yourself)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12Ec_fMYV1VGjZts5Q9vp3G73SUS9WkxQ/view?usp=drivesdk

I'm annoyed with myself for my ignorance, but I'm also a little annoyed that the label on the saline solution was so alarmist. (here are pictures of the saline warning label and the hydrogen peroxide bottle)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12F2T5h4xBwdGpfVeuTNkA0ynXk5aV2AJ/view?usp=drivesdk

https://drive.google.com/file/d/12HqYYSAdALdVVx_HQloKDkmaWGtZlE7n/view?usp=drivesdk

TL;DR I had two contact solution bottles, and the harmless bottle had a scary label, so I put stinging liquid (the other bottle, with a seemingly benign warning label) in my eye.

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Comments

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eternalankh t1_je25vuc wrote

Ah yes. The hydrogen peroxide stuff is hypoallergenic. I'm allergic to the all purpose solution you're meant to store contacts in. (saline doesn't disinfect, is why they say it's not for storage, over time bacteria can build up and infect your eyes)

The hydrogen peroxide solution comes with a special container that turns the peroxide into saline overnight, it's not to be put directly into your eyes.

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Mr007McDiddles t1_je1nmee wrote

Nice eyes bro. I think I saw your soul. Get well soon!

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Sashaisbroke t1_je1rktg wrote

God, I‘m so sorry. Happened to me recently too because I had to switch contact solutions (bc of delivery issues) and both of the goddamn bottles, saline solution and peroxide are white. LIKE WHY THE FUCK DO THEY MAKE BOTH BOTTLES THE SAME GODDAMN COLOR, that lil red tip doesn’t help shit when you‘re as near-sighted as my blind ass.

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GingerJacob36 t1_je2okym wrote

Put a strip of tape or something around one of the bottles. Glue something to the cap if you need to so that even if you don't look, your hand will feel a difference somewhere.

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Sashaisbroke t1_je414o0 wrote

yes I did, I glued a ribbon around it so I can feel it! Thanks!

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ThadisJones t1_je2t9uf wrote

Manufacturing conglomerate State Og once accidentally produced Og Brand Wacky Washy Shampoo in a deceptively similar bottle to Og Brand Wacky Tacky Glue

When this error was brought to their attention, they continued selling both products this way because they hate their customers

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dunbeezy71 t1_je1v84k wrote

I did this same thing at a work event when a co worker passed me her bottle of solution. It sucks. Bad.

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Overquoted t1_je2w15g wrote

Did this once by not letting the contacts sit in the special container long enough. Was not great.

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