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Updated: Jul 28, 2026

Corneal Epithelial Abrasion with Ocular Burr As a Model for Cornea Wound Healing
Published on: July 10, 2018
Corneal injury from explosion of microwaved eggs
R T Yoo1, P M Rivera, J P Campbell
1Washington National Eye Center, Washington Hospital Center, DC, USA. rty1@whcmlib.mhg.edu
Purpose:
To report two patients with ocular burns from explosion of microwaved eggs that caused direct vision-threatening corneal damage.
Methods:
The initial examination and treatment of both patients are described.
Results:
Both patients were initially examined with severe decrease in the visual acuity of both eyes. The first patient required limbal conjunctival transplantation and a subsequent penetrating keratoplasty in the right eye and prolonged treatment of superficial keratitis in the left eye. The second patient sustained bilateral corneal epithelial defects and unilateral intrastromal hemorrhage.
Conclusions:
Exploding microwaved eggs can cause notable thermal injury to the eyes. The public should be educated about the dangers of cooking eggs in the microwave oven.

