The invention relates to a handheld apparatus and a method for eye wash for first aid, where there is a need for immediate washing of the eye, caused by foreign objects or chemicals in and/or around the eye(s). The apparatus comprises two rocker arms (2), where each of the rocker arms on one side of a hinge (3) has a jaw (4) for placing on the eyelids, and a wing (5) on the opposite side of the hinge, thereat by manual compression of the wings, and the thereby caused rotation of the rocker arms around the hinge, to force the jaws and thus the eyelids apart. The apparatus comprises a connecting part for connection to a liquid container of aerosol type (13) with a pressure valve (14). The rocker arms are connected to a pressure device configured by compression of the wings to press the pressure valve into the liquid container and thereby cause the release of liquid from the liquid container, thus the onset of release of liquid is simultaneous with the compression of the jaws forcing the eyelids apart.