ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the incubation period, degree of injury, distribition of pathological changes, and therapeutic effect of eye injury in “8?4” mustard gas poisoning accident. Methods The relationships among contact pattern, contact time and incubation period and degree of injury were analyzed, and the distribition of pathological changes and therapeutic effect were assessed. Results An incubation period was found in eye injury after the exposure to mustard gas. It varied with the mode of contact and the time of exposure to the gas. The conjunctiva was the main site of injury, follwed by the eyelid, and then the cornea and the iris. Conclusions The length of the incubation period varied with the degree of injury and contact time and mode. Thorough washout and medicinal intervention should be instituted as early as possible.