Showers, bubblers, safety glasses, and even hearing protection are relatively new things that weren’t around 50 years ago. I still forget to put the glasses on sometimes and over the years have gotten Gunk engine cleaner, rifle cleaning solvent, metal and wood shavings, plain old stuff from the snow blower, and probably more that I don’t remember. I don’t have a bubbler but I keep eye wash handy.
I guess it’s always better to go to the doctor if there is any question. I did develop conjunctivitis from the rifle solvent and needed medical attention. I went to the doctor with a wood spec in my eye once and the guy worked on me for an hour and finally gave up. I said just freeze the eye and pick it out but he was afraid to or didn’t know what I was talking about. I got it out on my own afterwards. I went to a small town doc with a spec in the blue one night and it was 10 minutes and I was out of there. Just froze the eye and picked it out with a swab. So I’ve had limited success and best just to remember to wear the glasses. You never know who you will get in the ER.