Use of Ethylenediaminetetraacetic Acid in Chronic Calcium-Based Chemical Injury

This study presents the successful management of a patient with chronic chemical-based injury using ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) chelation.

This is a case report of a 59-year-old man who presented to us 2 months after a bilateral, accidental, ocular injury with lime particles at his workplace.

The patient was initially managed with extensive debridement and amniotic membrane grafting for both eyes. At 4-month follow-up, the left eye appeared to have extensive calcium-based plaques. 0.02N EDTA chelation was performed for his left eye. Postchelation, the visual acuity improved to 20/800. At 1-week follow-up, a repeat EDTA chelation was performed. The corneal clarity improved further, and the patient recovered a visual acuity of 20/200.

EDTA chelation in the setting of calcium deposition in the chronic phase of chemical injuries can be reasonably effective.