Corneal edema related to accidental Hibiclens exposure

Five patients developed corneal edema presumably caused by accidental preoperative ocular exposure to Hibiclens. In all cases, the patients complained of ocular pain after surgery. Conjunctival inflammation and corneal epithelial defects were found in all patients. Between two and ten weeks after exposure, stromal and epithelial edema, with a predilection for the inferior cornea initially, developed in all patients. The corneal edema resolved in three patients in approximately six months, leaving mild stromal scarring and reduced endothelial cell counts. The corneal edema in the other two patients progressed to diffuse bullous keratopathy, which eventually required penetrating keratoplasty. We recommend that Hibiclens be avoided in preoperative preparation of the facial skin to prevent accidental ocular exposure.