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[Chemical burns to the eye]
Anna Midelfart1, Yvonne Christine Hagen, Gunn Beate Slapgård Myhre
1Avdeling for øyesykdommer, Institutt for nevromedisin, Norges teknisk-naturvitenskapelige universitet, 7489 Trondheim. anna.midelfart@medisin.ntnu.no
Summary
Chemical eye injuries are common, with most being mild. Immediate eye irrigation is crucial for treatment, and preventative measures are needed to reduce injury frequency.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Trauma Surgery
- Occupational Health
Context:
- Chemical eye injuries are a significant cause of ocular trauma.
- Prompt treatment is essential to prevent severe visual impairment.
- This study analyzes chemical eye injuries at St. Olav University Hospital from 1993-1995.
Purpose:
- To review the frequency, causes, and treatment outcomes of chemical eye injuries.
- To identify high-risk activities and chemical agents involved.
- To assess the incidence of serious visual impairment following chemical burns.
Summary:
- A review of 269 cases revealed 49% of chemical eye injuries occurred in the workplace and 28% at home.
- Alkalis (48%) were more frequent than strong acids (20%). High-risk activities included lye use, cleaning, and agricultural work.
- 95% received pre-hospital irrigation, and 93% continued irrigation in-hospital; only 3% experienced serious visual impairment.
Impact:
- Most chemical eye burns result in mild injuries with no long-term vision loss.
- Immediate and thorough eye irrigation is the cornerstone of effective treatment.
- Increased prophylactic measures are recommended to decrease the incidence of these injuries.