[Chemical and Thermal Eye Burns]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Emergency Medicine
• Toxicology

Background:

• Chemical and thermal burns of the ocular surface (CTOS) pose significant risks.
• Early and appropriate therapeutic interventions are crucial for managing CTOS.
• This review synthesizes current knowledge and clinical experience for CTOS management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a therapeutic approach for the early treatment of CTOS.
• To provide stage-specific recommendations for acute CTOS management.
• To discuss pathophysiology and advanced treatment options for CTOS.

Main Methods:

• Comprehensive review of international literature.
• Inclusion of clinical experiences from University Hospital Aachen, Halle/Saale, and Eye Clinic Cologne.
• Consideration of experimental data from RWTH Aachen University research institute.

Main Results:

• CTOS management recommendations are stratified by disease stage.
• Pathophysiological mechanisms underlying CTOS are discussed.
• Specific treatment strategies for acute, late-phase, and exceptional CTOS situations are presented.

Conclusions:

• Immediate rinsing with a suitable solution is paramount in the acute phase of CTOS.
• Anti-inflammatory treatment is a central component of CTOS therapy.
• Severe CTOS requires advanced surgical methods to activate anti-inflammatory and tissue-protective mechanisms.