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Updated: May 27, 2026
Corneal Epithelial Abrasion with Ocular Burr As a Model for Cornea Wound Healing
Published on: July 10, 2018
Ocular surface reconstruction after exposure to high concentrations of antiseptic solutions
Chika Shigeyasu1, Jun Shimazaki
1Department of Ophthalmology, Tokyo Dental College Ichikawa General Hospital, Ichikawa, Chiba, Japan. shigeyasuchika@kankakuki.go.jp
Purpose:
To report the clinical course in accidental exposure of the cornea to antiseptic solutions in 3 cases.
Methods:
Observational case series. Exposure to 20% chlorhexidine gluconate solution was observed in 2 cases and to 10% benzalkonium chloride solution in 1 case.
Results:
Not only superficial damage but also toxicity to corneal endothelial cells leading to corneal edema was observed in all 3 cases. Epithelial transplantation was performed: autologous cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation (auto-CLET), conjunctivolimbal autograft (CLAU), or living-related cultivated limbal epithelial transplantation (lr-CLET). A stable ocular surface was achieved, although exposure to high concentrations of antiseptic solutions caused severe anterior chamber inflammation; cataract and glaucoma developed in 2 cases, requiring further surgical treatment.
Conclusions:
Exposure to high concentrations of antiseptics causes both ocular surface and intraocular damage. Epithelial transplantation enables restoration of a stable ocular surface. However, management of intraocular consequences, including secondary glaucoma and corneal endothelial damage, still remains a challenge in the prognosis of such cases.
