Chemical Burns of the Cornea Due to Soda Lime Used for Line Marking on the Playground

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The hydrated form of lime used for marking lines on the ground is a corrosive alkali. The harmful effects of lime are well known, and chemical burns of human tissue due to lime have been reported. We report a case of chemical injury of the cornea caused by exposure to lime at a playground. METHODS: A 3-year-old male patient presented with decreased visual acuity after slipping on the playground. His best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 20/40 in the right eye (OD), and hand motion in the left eye (OS). On biomicroscopic examination, bilateral corneal opacity and corneal erosion were observed. In the OS, the corneal opacity involved the visual axis and resulted in vision impairment. He was treated with eye drops. RESULTS: After treatment for 3 months, his corrected visual acuity was 20/30 in the OD, and 20/125 in the OS. The corneal opacity was not improved and corneal thinning was observed in the OS. After 1 year, BCVA was 20/25 in the OD, and 20/100 in the OS. CONCLUSIONS: The lime used for marking white lines on the ground can cause opacity and thinning of the cornea. Other, safer methods for line marking should be considered.