[Chemical eye burns]

ABSTRACT

Chemical injuries of the cornea are ophthalmic emergencies. These injuries often result in significant ocular morbidity and generally strike young adults in the prime years of life. Classification schemes enable the ophthalmologist to determine the severity of injury and the prognosis for the injured eye. Immediate management consists of copious irrigation following exposure. Effective management in the intermediate and late phases requires an understanding of the cellular events that occur during each phase. Appropriate medical and surgical care helps ensure the best outcomes for these potentially blinding injuries. With appropriate management, it is possible to restore vision to all but the most severely burned eyes. While our current understanding of these injuries allows us to save many of these eyes, more work is needed to improve the prognosis of grade IV injuries. Ongoing animal and human research is investigating the use of novel topical agents to reduce angiogenesis, inhibit inflammation, promote repair, and reduce the risk of corneal melting. Efforts at preventing ocular chemical burns are equally important and deserve emphasis