Clinical Feature of Chemical Corneal Injuries

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To establish a treatment regimen and preventive measures through clinical study and demographic profile of chemical corneal injury cases. METHODS: The records of all patients presenting with chemical corneal injuries from January 1 1997 to December 31 2003 were evaluated. One hundred forty-three chemical corneal injuries in seventy-eight patients presenting to the Dongguk University Hospital were analyzed. Patients was divide into three groups in accordance to occupation (Group I, farmer, Group II, directly chemical-agents exposure occupation, Group III, others). The records were examined to extract information about age, sex, extent of injury, chemical substances involved, place of injury, delay time of arrival at hospital and visual acuity. Classification of corneal burns was scored according to Roper-Hall. RESULTS: The patient consisted of 63 males (80.8%) and 15 females (19.2%), with a mean age of 39.21+/-13.27 years. The most common agent causing corneal injuries was pesticide, followed NaOH. Ninety-eight (68.5%) eyes showed Grade 1 burns, 27 (18.9%) eyes showed Grade 2, 15 (9.1%) eyes Grade 3 and 5 (3.5%) Grade 4. The severity of chemical corneal burn and deterioration of the visual acuity was more severe in group II than in the other groups. CONCLUSIONS: Chemical ocular injuries may lead to serous visual impairment. Therefore, proper education for appropriate handling of chemicals to prevent the accidents is important.