Visual Outcome In Methanol Poisoning A Study Of An Outbreak In Ahmedabad In July 2009

ABSTRACT

his paper describes various aspects of presentationof methyl alcohol poisoning, especially ophthalmic and its correlation with visual outcome with different modalities of management.In the outbreak of methyl alcohol poisoning in Ahmedabad in July 2009, 138 patients admitted in Smt. Shardaben Hospital were selected for this study. Fifty seven of them presented with severe acidosis and visual impairment and lost their lives in spite of treatment. Twenty seven out of the 81 who survived had visual impairment. Thus total 84 (61%) patients out of 137 had visual impairment. Ophthalmic examination was done in all the 81 cases in detail. We found thatthe amount of alcohol consumed and acidosis had unfavourable impact on visual impairment as well as prognosis. Early correction of acidosis and early institution of hemodialysis had favourable visual prognosis.