PubMed2004
BACKGROUND: Chemical injuries to the eye represent a significant fraction of ocular trauma requiring immediate treatment. Severe injuries might lead to serious visual impairment. This study reviews the frequency, cause, and results of treatment of all cases of chemical eye injuries in patients presenting in the section for ophthalmology at St. Olav University Hospital over a three-year period. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Records of all patients presenting with ocular burns over the 1993 through 1995 period. The records were examined to extract information about age, sex, extent of injury, chemical substances involved, place of injury, treatment, and frequency of serious visual impairment. RESULTS: Out of the 269 cases, 49% occurred in the workplace, 28% at home. Men were involved about twice as frequently as women, most of them at work. The majority of women were injured at home. Alkalis were the most frequent chemical, implicated in 48 % cases, while strong acid caused 20% of the injuries. Use of lye as a bleaching agent for wooden materials, cleaning, silo preparation in agriculture, laboratory work and work with cement and plaster were activities with high risk of burns to the eye. 95% of the patients were treated with eye irrigation before admittance; 93% were then continually irrigated in hospital (with a mean solution volume of 19 litres). Serious eye damage following ocular burns was registered in 8 patients (3%). INTERPRETATION: Most chemical eye burns are mild injuries with no lasting adverse effects. Immediate irrigation of the eye is the most important treatment. Therapeutic procedures for eye burns should be based on the latest research results. Prophylactic efforts should be increased in order to bring down the frequency of burns.