Agents Involved and Severity of Acute Ocular Exposure Reported at a Poison Control Center

The aim was to identify severity factors useful in the initial management of patients with acute ocular exposure while considering both categories of products involved and circumstances of exposure.

A retrospective study over a one-year period that included patients who benefited from the poison center services for eye exposure to a chemical substance.

Within a year, 1582 patients were identified. The sex ratio (M/F) was 0.8. The mean age was 28.5 ± 20.3 years. Among children, those under 4 years represented the most significant age category (n = 277; 50.1%). Exposure to chemicals were mild (n = 1342, 84.8%). Adults over 65 years appeared to be more likely to have severe ocular damage (OR: 4.75; [2.26; 9.98]). Unintentional exposures were the most frequent (n = 1548; 97.8%). Ocular exposure primarily occurred at home (n = 937; 59.2%), and at the workplace (n = 396; 25%) which was associated with a higher risk of severe injury (OR: 2.93 [2.16; 3.97]). Cleaning products accounted for 31.2% of exposure cases (n = 457). Exposure to disinfectants is a risk factor of more severe injuries (OR: 1.48 [1.002; 2.19] p = .0472) whereas pH and severity of injuries were not statistically significant.

Our study showed the very wide variety of products involved in ocular exposures. Clinicians should pay attention to factors associated with severe injury, including young and old age, work-related injury, substances such as disinfectants, in addition to previously known factors such as acids and bases.