Management of chemical ocular injuries in pediatric patients

Chemical injury to the ocular surface constitutes a hyperacute medical emergency and requires immediate evaluation and treatment. Chemical injury is one of the most common causes of eye injury in the USA in children. Alkali liquids are particularly hazardous, as they can cause saponification resulting in further tissue penetration. Expeditious assessment and treatment is essential to prevent the extensive damage that can quickly result. The management of the sequelae of chemical injury may be challenging as well, ranging from the treatment of corneal thinning or opacification to the management of the damaged ocular surface and limbal stem cell deficiency. Children may also suffer both anisometropia from induced astigmatism and/or deprivational amblyopia from corneal opacification in the injured eye. Patients are at risk for permanent vision loss without close ophthalmologic follow-up. This chapter will address the acute treatment of ocular chemical injuries as well as the management of the sequelae.

Duke Scholars

Author Terry Kim Ophthalmology, Corneal Diseases