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Delayed presentation of severe ocular injury from a button battery
G Ratnarajan1, D Calladine, K J Bird
1Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, Reading, Berkshire, UK. g.ratnarajan@gmail.com
BMJ Case Reports
|May 7, 2013
Summary
Button battery eye injuries can cause severe electrochemical burns and tissue necrosis. Delayed symptoms may occur, highlighting the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment for pediatric ocular emergencies.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Toxicology
Background:
- Button batteries are common household items, posing a risk of ocular injury in children.
- Ocular button battery ingestion can lead to severe chemical burns due to leakage of alkaline electrolytes.
Observation:
- A 2-year-old girl presented with severe eye pain and discharge due to a conjunctival fornix button battery.
- Initial presentation was delayed, with symptoms manifesting hours after the inciting event.
Findings:
- Ocular examination revealed a metallic foreign body, leading to severe tissue necrosis from an electrochemical burn.
- Despite initial treatment with daily rodding and betamethasone ointment, a mild symblepharon persisted at 3 months.
Implications:
- This case underscores the potential for delayed symptom onset in pediatric button battery ocular injuries.
- Early recognition and management are crucial to prevent long-term visual impairment from these serious eye injuries.
