Epidemiological Features of Ocular Chemical Burns in Iran

Purpose: To evaluate the epidemiological features of ocular chemical burns in Iran. Methods: 96 patients with ocular chemical injuries were retrospectively studied. Patients underwent complete ophthalmological examination. Gender, laterality of involved eye, type of chemical substances, grading of injury, location where injury occurred, history of irrigation prior to admittance, and surgical procedures were evaluated. Results: 117eyes of 96 patients were enrolled in this study. 79% of the patients were injured while working, whereas 13.54% were hurt at home. Also, seven patients were injured during an assault. 37 individuals (38.5%) did not receive any irrigation immediately after the injury. Among them, 71.42% of assault cases, 39.47% of injuries during work, and 15.38% of burns at home did not irrigate their eyes prior to admission. Amniotic membrane grafting, tenonplasty, and tarsorrhaphy were the most performed surgeries for the patients. Conclusion: Patients who were injured at workplace and during an assault, irrigate their eyes less than patients who were injured at home. Therefore, educating of general population, making instructions on chemical agents, workplaces and factories and also equipping high risk places to the specific eye-washing devices are vital parts of regulation policies.