سوختگي هاي شيميايي چشم

Chemical Eye Burns

Chemical eye burns are among the most important emergencies and often lead to the acute decrease in visual acuity or apparent damage to the eye. Alkalines , more powerful in destroying cell membranes , penetrate into the lower layers of the tissues and cause greater damage to the eyes . The greatest damage occurs at PH> 11. However, acids form a complex with the corneal stromal proteins , which delays the penetration of acids into the lower tissues. Alkalines , in general, are more deleterious to the eyes than acids. Minor burns due to alkalises and acids manifest similar clinical presentations. Perilimbal damage is the most important factor in determining the damage scope and its recovery prognosis. Cornea lacking the epithelium shows little resistance against collagenesis ; therefore , any delay in the formation of new epithelium makes the cornea vulnerable to more damage. The first step in every chemical burn is the prompt irrigation of the injuries with ample water , which must take at least 30 minates . Immediately afterwards , local antibiotics are inevitable . Cycloplegics are essential in all eye burns except in very rare cases . Corticosteroids are useful in the first week as acute eye complaints are among the most common causes of referring to GPs . Due to lack of sufficient experience and diagnostic facilities , it is meant , in this paper , to present the practitioners with the essential information needed for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment of patients sufferring from chemical eye burns before referring to the ophthalmologist so that the complaints and after-effects of chemical eye burns are significantly reduced .