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Severe ocular injury after button battery exposure.
Maryann Mazer-Amirshahi1, Nicole Whitaker, Lo Kayewilson
1National Capital Poison Center, Washington, DC 20016, USA.
The Journal of Emergency Medicine
|May 22, 2012
Summary
An intact button battery lodged in the eye caused severe tissue damage, highlighting the critical need for prompt removal to prevent vision loss. This case underscores the risks of even non-penetrating ocular battery exposure.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Emergency Medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- Button batteries can cause rapid tissue necrosis via hydroxide ion generation.
- Ocular battery exposures often involve penetration or explosion, unlike this case.
Observation:
- An intact button battery caused severe ocular injury without penetrating the orbit.
- The patient presented with conjunctival ulceration, vitreous opacification, and pupillary abnormalities.
Findings:
- Tissue damage was most severe adjacent to the battery's negative pole.
- The eye healed over six months with normal visual acuity after prompt treatment.
Implications:
- Prolonged exposure to intact ocular button batteries can cause sight-threatening necrosis.
- Early removal of ocular button batteries is crucial to prevent permanent visual compromise.
