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Ocular burn caused by soft brown soap
1Ophthalmological Clinic, U.Z. Leuven.
Purpose:
To report the danger of serious chemical ocular burn caused by common household soap.
Case History:
A 20 year old male developed an extensive burn of the right eye after the commonly used soft brown soap (also called floor soap) fell into his face and right eye. The burn caused conjunctival ischemia and necrosis. The cornea was oedematous and denuded of epithelium. The pH of the soap was 11.8. The patient received treatment for alkali burn of the eye. Stem cell transplantation was needed to heal the corneal surface defect. Scar formation and peripheral neovascularisation have reduced the visual acuity to counting fingers at 75 cm.
Conclusion:
This case of serious alkali burn caused by the common soft brown soap demonstrates the potential hazard to the eyes. The manufacturer was sought to write the pH and a warning on the exterior of the container that the "soft brown soap" may cause serious ocular injury.