Skip to main content

Epidemiology of Ocular Chemical Burn Injuries

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Chemical Ocular Burns

Abstract

The epidemiology of ocular chemical accidental exposures remains incompletely understood. This chapter illuminates and analyzes the available published information on this subject from various countries around the world. Reviewed here are causal chemical agents, the nature of the described lesions, and the duration of lost work time amongst workplace ocular chemical accident victims. Also clarified is the issue of deliberate chemical assaults in industrialized countries and those with developing or emerging economies. The potential adverse effects of cosmetic chemical skin peeling therapy are described. This chapter concludes that it would be highly desirable to improve data collection on these not uncommon injuries in order to provide more precise recommendations for their prevention and medical treatment.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 129.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  1. Hall, A.H., Maibach, H.I.: Water decontamination of chemical skin/eye splashes: a critical review. Cutaneous Ocular Toxicol 25, 67–83 (2006)

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Pfister, R.R.: The effects of chemical injury on the corneal surface. Ophthalmology 90, 601–609 (1983)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Liao, C.-C., Rossignol, A.M.: Landmarks in burn prevention. Burns 26, 422–434 (2000)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Josset, P., Meyer, M.C., Blomet, J.: Pénétration d’un toxique dans le cornée. Etude experimental et simulation [French]. [Penetration of a toxic agent into the cornea. Experimental study and simulation]. SMT 85, 25–33 (1986)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Herr, R.D., White, G.L., Bernhisel, K., Mamalis, N., Swanson, E.: Clinical comparison of ocular irrigation fluids following chemical injury. Am J Emerg Med 9, 228–231 (1991)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Melsaether, C.N., Rosen, C.L.: Burns, Ocular. http://www.emedicine.com, last updated November 1, 2007. Accessed 07/07/2008

  7. Karaman, K., Gverović-Antunica, A., Rogoŝić, V., Lakoŝ-Krželj, V., Rozga, A., Rodočaj-Perko, S.: Epidemiology of adult eye injuries in Split-Dalmation County. Croat Med J 45, 304–309 (2004)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Poon, A.S., Ng, J.S., Lam, D.S., Fan, D.S., Leung, A.T.: Epidemiology of severe childhood eye injuries that required hospitalization. Hong Kong Med J 4, 371–374 (1998)

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. Islam, S.S., Doyle, E.J., Velilla, A., Martin, C.J., Ducatman, A.M.: Epidemiology of compensable work-related ocular injuries and illnesses: incidence and risk factors. J Occup Environ Med 42, 575–581 (2000)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Nicaeus, T., Erb, C., Rohrbach, M., Thiel, H.J.: An analysis of 148 outpatient treated occupational accidents [German]. Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd 209, A7–A11 (1996)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Kuckelkorn, R., Kottek, A., Schrage, N., Reim, M.: Poor prognosis of severe chemical and thermal eye burns: the need for adequate emergency care and primary prevention. Int Arch Occup Environ Health 67, 281–284 (1995)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Saari, K.M., Parvi, V.: Occupational eye injuries in Finland. Acta Ophthalmol Suppl 161, 17–28 (1984)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Pegg, S.P., Miller, P.M., Sticklen, E.J., Storie, W.J.: Epidemiology of industrial burns in Brisbane. Burns Incl Therm Inj 12, 484–490 (1986)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Moon, M.E., Roberston, I.F.: Retrospective study of alkali burns of the eye. Aust J Ophthalmol 11, 281–286 (1983)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Kersjes, M.P., Reifler, D.M., Maurer, J.R., Trestrail, J.H., McCoy, D.J.: A review of chemical eye burns referred to the Blodgett Regional Poison Center. Vet Hum Toxicol 29, 453–455 (1987)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Bronstein, A.C., Spyker, D.A., Cantilena, L.R., Green, J., Rumack, B.H., Heard, S.E.: 2006 annual report of the American Association of Poison Centers’ National Poison Data System (NPDS). Clin Toxicol 45, 815–917 (2007)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Nonfatal occupational injuries and illnesses requiring days away from work, 2006. United States Bureau of Labor, News, Whashington, DC, November 8, 2007. Accessed on-line in 2008 http://www.bls.gov/iff/home.htm.

  18. Hunt, J.P., Calvert, C.T., Peck, M.D., Meyer, A.A.: Occupation-related burn injuries. J Burn Care Rehabil 21, 327–332 (2000)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  19. Kuckelkorn, R., Makropoulos, W., Kottek, A., Reim, M.: Prospective study of severe alkali burns of the eyes [German]. Klin Monatsbl Augenheilkd 203, 397–402 (1993)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  20. Ho, C.K., Yen, Y.L., Chang, C.H., Chiang, H.C., Shen, Y.Y., Chang, P.Y.: Epidemiologic study on work-related eye injuries in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. Kaohsiung J Med Sci 23, 463–469 (2007)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Micheau, P., Lawers, F., Vagth, S.B., Seilha, T., Dumuriger, C., Joly, B.: Caustic burns: Clinical study of 24 patients with sulfuric acid burns in Cambodia [French]. Ann Chir Plast Esthet 49, 239–254 (2004)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  22. Beare, J.D.L.: Eye injuries from assault with chemicals. Br J Ophthalmol 74, 514–518 (1990)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  23. O’Driscoll, A.M., Aggarwal, R.K., Shah, P., Chell, P.B., Hope-Ross, M.W., McDonnell, P.J.: Ocular injuries due to alkaline substances. BMJ 310, 943 (1995)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Yeong, E.K., Chen, M.T., Mann, R., Kin, T.-W., Engrav, L.H.: Facial mutilation after an assault with chemicals: 15 cases and literature review. J Burn Care Rehabil 18, 234–237 (1997)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  25. Crikelair, G.F., Symonds, F.C., Ollstein, R.N., Kirsner, A.I.: Burn causation: its many sides. J Trauma 8, 572–582 (1968)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  26. Faga, A., Scevola, D., Mezzetti, M.G., Scevola, S.: Sulphuric acid burned women in Bangladesh: a social and medical problem. Burns 26, 701–709 (2000)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Merle, H., Donnio, A., Ayeboua, L., Michel, F., Thomas, F., Ketterle, J., et al.: Alkali ocular burns in Martinique (French West Indies): evaluation of the use of an amphoteric solution as the rinsing product. Burns 31, 670–673 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Branday, J., Arscott, G.D.L., Smoot, E.C., Fletcher, P.R.: Chemical burns as assault injuries in Jamaica. Burns 22, 154–155 (1996)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Asaria, J., Kobusingye, O.C., Khingi, B.A., Balikuddembe, R., Gomez, M., Beveridge, M.: Acid burns from personal assault in Uganda. Burns 30, 78–81 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Saini, J.S., Sharma, A.: Ocular chemical burns – clinical and demographic profile. Burns 19, 67–69 (1993)

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Kaiserman, I., Kaiserman, N.: Severe blepharoconjunctivitis induced by a peeling mask containing trichloroacetic acid. Ocular Immunol Inflamm 13, 257–259 (2005)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Fung, J.F., Sengelmann, R.D., Kenneally, C.Z.: Chemical injury to the eye from trichloroacetic acid. Dermatol Surg 28, 609–610 (2002)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Xie, Y., Tan, Y., Tang, S.: Epidemiology of 377 patients with chemical burns in Guangdong province. Burns 30, 569–572 (2004)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Cartotto, R.C., Peters, W.J., Neligan, P.C., Douglas, L.G., Beeston, J.: Chemical burns. Can J Surg 39, 205–211 (1996)

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  35. Sawheny, C.P., Kaudish, R.: Acid and alkali burns: considerations in management. Burns 15, 132–134 (1989)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Mozingo, D.W., Smith, A.A., McManus, W.F., Pruitt, B.A., Mason, A.D.: Chemical burns. J Trauma 26, 642–647 (1988)

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Milton, R., Mathieu, L., Hall, A.H., Maibach, H.I.: Chemical assault and skin/eye burns: two representative cases, report from the Acid Survivors Foundation, and literature review. Burns 36, 924–32 (2010)

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Alan H. Hall .

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2011 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Hall, A.H. (2011). Epidemiology of Ocular Chemical Burn Injuries. In: Chemical Ocular Burns. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14550-6_2

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-14550-6_2

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-642-14549-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-642-14550-6

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics