Citation

Adepoju FG, Adeboye A, Adigun IA. Ann. Afr. Med. 2007; 6(1): 7-11.

Affiliation

Department of Ophthalmology, College of Medicine, University of Ilorin, Nigeria. feyiyemiade@yahoo.com

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Annals of African Medicine Society, Publisher Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

18240484

Abstract

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To review the pattern of presentation and management difficulty of patients with ocular chemical bums. 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.

Language: en