| RESEARCH ARTICLE |
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| Year : 2007 | Volume
: 6
| Issue : 1 | Page : 7-11 |
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Chemical eye injuries: Presentation and management difficulties
FG Adepoju1, A Adeboye2, IA Adigun3
1 Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Ilorin, Nigeria
2 Department of Ophthalmology, University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria
3 Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Department of Surgery, College of Medicine, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
F G Adepoju
Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Ilorin
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/1596-3519.55738
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Background/Purpose : To review the pattern of presentation and management difficulty of patients with ocular chemical burns.
Method : Retrospective study of all patients with ocular burns seen over 8-year period (March 1998- April 2006) in the eye clinic as well as the plastic and reconstructive surgery unit of our hospital. Case files were retrieved and relevant information extracted and analyzed.
Results : There were a total of 23 patients (n=33 eyes) seen in the period under review consisting of 19 males and 4 females. The age ranged from 6-52 years with mean age of 31.87years. The chemical injuries were accidental in 73.9% of the cases and of these 76.5% were work related. The remaining 26.1% resulting from assault were bilateral and led to blindness in all the patients. Main injurious agents were acid and alkali.
Conclusion : Major cause of chemical injury was work related; although blindness and disability occurred more in the cases of assault. Occupational health issues need a revisit, preparedness of health institutions to take adequate care of people with ocular burns is presently poor.
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