What should you do first if someone has pesticide in their eyes?

If someone has pesticide in their eyes, the immediate action should be to hold the eyelids open and wash the eyes with water. This is crucial because flushing the eyes with water helps to dilute and remove the pesticide, minimizing the potential for irritation, damage, or long-term effects. The water should ideally flow from the inner corner of the eye to the outer corner to ensure proper irrigation and to help wash away any contaminants effectively.

Applying ointment is not appropriate in this situation because ointments can trap the chemical in the eye rather than remove it. Waiting to see if the situation resolves on its own can lead to worsening harm and is not a recommended response, as immediate action is essential. Covering the eyes with a cloth does not provide any remedy and might prevent flushing the eyes, leading to prolonged exposure to the harmful substance. Therefore, the best and most effective course of action is to immediately wash the eyes with plenty of water.