Ocular Chemical Burns from Accidental Exposure to Sulphuric Acid due to Car Battery Explosion

Abstract

Introduction: Chemical burns represent potentially blinding ocular injuries and constitute a true ocular emergency requiring immediate assessment and initiation of treatment. The majority of victims are young and exposure occurs at home, work place and in association with criminal assaults. Alkali injuries occur more frequently than acid injuries. Chemical injuries of the eye produce extensive damage to the ocular surface epithelium, cornea, anterior segment and limbal stem cells resulting in permanent unilateral or bilateral visual impairment. Proper management in the acute setting as well as follow-up by an ophthalmologist is crucial in limiting adverse effects of ocular tissue damage secondary to the chemicals. Methods: This case study describes the presentation and the emergency management of an adult male who presented to the eye department of CMH, Dhaka, with grade III bilateral ocular injury. Conclusion: Patient coming with chemical ocular injury need a through and immediate evaluation and intensive
treatment. Advances in understanding of the pathophysiology of the injury have led to improvement in treatment such as use of topical ascorbate and citrate, as well as surgical treatment. The goal of treatment is restoration of the normal ocular surface anatomy and lid position, control of glaucoma and restoration of corneal clarity.