Eye Burn

Eye burn is an emergency that requires immediate action. Eye burns, thermal or chemical, are among the most dangerous and can lead to loss of vision. Corrosive substances can cause limited or diffuse damage to the cornea. The consequences of burns depend on the type and concentration of the pH solution, the duration and temperature of the substance.

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Causes of the eye burn

Eye damage most often occurs as a result of contact with chemicals, thermal agents, various radiation, electric current.

• Alkalis (slaked or unslaked lime, mortar) in contact with the eyes are the most serious burns, causing necrosis and destroying the structure of tissues. The conjunctiva acquires a greenish tinge, and the cornea becomes porcelain-white.
• Acids. Acid burns are not as severe as alkaline. The acid causes coagulation of the corneal protein, which prevents damage to deeper structures of the eye.
• Ultraviolet radiation. Eye burn ultraviolet can occur after sunbathing in the solarium, or if you look at the bright sunlight reflected from the surface of water or snow.
• Hot gases and liquids. The burn stage depends on the temperature and the duration of the exposure.
• A special feature of a burn with an electric current is painlessness, a clear delineation of healthy and dead tissues. Severe burns provoke eye hemorrhages and retinal edema. Also, corneal opacity occurs. When exposed to an electric shock, both eyes suffer more often.

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Burning eyes with welding

When the welding machine is in operation, an electric arc arises that emits ultraviolet radiation. This radiation can cause electro-ophthalmia (severe burn of the mucous membrane). The reasons for this are not compliance with safety regulations, powerful ultraviolet and infrared radiation, the effect of welding smoke on the eyes. Symptomatics: indomitable lachrymation, acute pain, eye hyperemia, swollen eyelids, pain in the movements of eyeballs, photophobia. If there is an electrophthalmic law, it is forbidden to rub eyes with your hands, since rubbing pain only strengthens and leads to the spread of inflammation. It is important to immediately rinse the eyes. If the retina does not damage the retina, the vision will be restored after one or three days.

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Risk factors

The most common burns of the eye cornea in construction, in industry, in agriculture, but also happen in the home.

Especially dangerous are alkalis, because they penetrate into the corneal tissue faster and easier. This leads to the withering away of the surface tissues, often the deep layers of the eye are damaged. As a consequence, intraocular pressure may increase and cataracts develop.

Acids cause denaturation of the protein of the superficial layers of the cornea with a restriction of the penetration of tissues, but nevertheless, can lead to blindness. The exception is hydrofluoric acid, which rapidly penetrates through the cell membranes and causes necrosis. In addition, fluoride ions penetrating into the cell, reduce the activity of glycolytic enzymes, and also bind to calcium and magnesium form insoluble compounds.

The following group of substances capable of causing a corneal burn consists of irritants having a neutral pH, and although their effect causes similar symptoms, their effect does not cause irreparable damage.

In the home, eye burns of the cornea occur due to the ingress of ammonium hydroxide compounds, ammonium sulfite, potassium hydroxide, magnesium oxide and calcium hydroxide. They are contained in fertilizers for plants and cleaning products (ammonia). Often in everyday life you can find: hydrochloric, sulfuric, nitric and vinegar. Sulfuric acid can be released due to rupture of the car's radiator and its ignition. Acetic acid we use for the preparation of preservation. Strongly amaze the eyes with a wash and nail polish.

Irritants are also used in household detergents, repellents and sprays. All of the chemicals listed above can cause eye burn.

Especially careful to be with different electrical appliances. Ensure that there is no damage to the casing or wire, or damage to the work. A burn is possible and when observing a phenomenon such as the eclipse of the sun, if you stay under the rays of a bright sun for a long time without tinted glasses. Ultraviolet light that gets into the eyes can damage the retina, which will lead to visual impairment. This can lead to swelling and redness of the eyes, keratoconjunctivitis. Sometimes, corneal opacity occurs. Going to rest to the sea or to the mountains you need to protect your eyes from the bright sun.

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Pathogenesis

From the effects of acid, alkali, various radiations, hot gases and liquids, tissue dies off with further rejection.

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Symptoms of the eye burn

The most common symptoms of eye burns are:

• strong pain,
• anxiety,
• photophobia,
• lacrimation,
• blurred vision,
• spasm and edema of the eyelids,
• burns the skin around the eyes,
• redness of the eyes,
• corneal opacity,
• pallor of the conjunctiva.

The first signs of a corneal burn of any degree of severity are photophobia, lacrimation and blurred vision.

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Stages

Burns are four stages. The first - the easiest, respectively, the fourth - the heaviest.

• The first degree - the redness of the eyelids and conjunctiva, the opacity of the cornea.
• The second degree - the skin of the eyelids produces blisters and surface films on the conjunctiva.
• The third degree is necrotic changes in the skin of the eyelids; on the conjunctiva, deep films that are practically not removed and the clouded cornea resemble opaque glass.
• The fourth degree - necrosis of the skin, conjunctiva and sclera with deep opacity of the cornea. At the site of necrotic sites an ulcer is formed, the healing process of which ends with scars.

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Forms

Classification of types of burns of the cornea of the eye can be carried out for reasons that caused them and severity.

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Complications and consequences

Consequences and complications directly depend on the stage of the burn.

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Diagnostics of the eye burn

As a rule, problems with diagnosis The eye burn does not arise. It is established on the basis of characteristic symptoms and a questioning of the patient or witnesses of this event. The diagnosis should be made as soon as possible. With the help of tests and tests: the doctor determines the factor that caused the burn and concludes.

After the end of the acute period, in order to assess the damage, it is recommended to perform instrumental and differential diagnostics - external examination of the eye with the help of the eyelid, measure intraocular pressure, conduct biomicroscopy to detect ulcers on the cornea, ophthalmoscopy.

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Treatment of the eye burn

Emergency help is aimed at determining what substance caused the burn. In the shortest possible time, it is necessary to remove the stimulus from the eye. It can be removed with a tissue or cotton swab. If possible, the material is removed from the conjunctiva, by twisting the upper eyelid and cleaning it with a tampon. Then, wash the affected eye with water or a disinfectant solution, such as a two percent solution of boric acid, a three percent solution of tannin or other liquids. The washing should be repeated for a few minutes. To reduce, accompanying with a burn severe pain and fear, one can anesthetize the patient and give sedatives.

You can use a solution of dicaine (0.25-0.5%) for drip anesthesia. Then, a sterile bandage covering the entire eye is applied to the eye, and then the patient is immediately transported to the hospital for further actions to preserve the vision. In the future, it is necessary to fight so that there is no fusion of the eyelids and the destruction of the cornea.

For centuries, it is advised to put a gasket of gauze, which is impregnated with antiseptic ointment, use drops of eserine 0.03%. It is allowed to use drops in the eye with antibiotics:

• tobrex 0,3% (1-2 drops are injected every hour, contraindications - intolerance of any component of the drug, may be prescribed to children from birth.),
• 0.5% signicef (1-two drops every two hours up to eight times a day, reducing the dosage up to four times a day.) The duration of treatment is determined individually, side effects are local allergic reactions.),
• drops of levomycetin 0.25% instilled by pipetting once three times a day for one drop)
• drops taufona 4% (locally, in the form of instillation, two or three drops 3-4 times a day.) There are no contraindications and side effects),
• in severe conditions, prescribe dexamethasone (can be administered both topically and in injections, iv 4-20 mg three four times a day).

Do not allow the eye to dry out. To prevent this from happening, spend a lot of lubrication with petroleum jelly and xeroform ointment. Serum is injected against tetanus. For the general support of the body for burns of the cornea, during the rehabilitation period it is recommended to prescribe vitamins. They are used inside or in the form of intramuscular or intravenous injections.

To improve blood circulation, massage and physiotherapy can be applied.

The goal of inpatient treatment is maximum preservation of eye function. With first and second degree burns, the prognosis is favorable. The last two shows surgical treatment - keratoplasty layered or through.

After the acute phase of the burn has gone you can use folk, homeopathic remedies and herbal treatments.

Treatment of burns by alternative methods

It is necessary to eat as much as possible carrots, as it contains carotene, useful for our eyes.

In your diet, add fish oil. It includes nitrogenous material and polyunsaturated acids, which contribute to tissue repair.

With a light burn by electric welding, you can cut the potatoes in half and put them on your eyes.

Herbal Treatment

One tablespoon of dried clover flowers is poured into one glass of boiling water and infused for one hour. Use for external use.

Dry thyme (one spoonful) is poured in one glass of boiling water. Let it brew for one hour. Apply externally.

Shredded leaves of plantain in the amount of twenty grams pour 1 cup of boiling water and insist one hour. For external use.

Homeopathic Remedies

• Okulochel - the drug is used for eye irritation and conjunctivitis. Anti-inflammatory. An adult is prescribed one drop two times a day. There are no contraindications. Side effects are not known.
• Mukoza compositum - is used for inflammatory, erosive diseases of the mucous membranes. Assign at the beginning of treatment every day for one ampoule, for three days. Side effects are not known. There are no contraindications.
• Gelseminum. Gelzeminum. The active substance is made from the underground part of the plant, gelmas are evergreen. It is recommended when removing acute stitching pain in the eye, glaucoma. Adults take 8 pellets three to five times a day.
• Aurum. Aurum. A remedy for deep lesions of organs and tissues. Recommended reception for adults 8 granules from 3 times a day. Has no contraindications.

All the traditional and non-traditional treatments listed in this article are introductory. What can positively affect one person, the other does not fit at all. Therefore, do not self-medicate, visit a specialist.

Prevention

Experts say that in most cases, burns can be prevented. Preventive measures can be reduced to simple implementation of safety rules when working with flammable liquids, chemicals, household chemicals, work with electrical appliances. When you are in the bright sun, wear sunglasses. Patients who suffered burns of the cornea of the eye, it is recommended to be on a dispensary account with an ophthalmologist within one year after the injury.

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Forecast

A favorable outcome depends on the nature of the injury, its severity, the speed of medical care, the correctness of therapy.

With eye burns of the third and fourth degree, it is possible to infect the conjunctiva cavity, a thorn can develop, and visual acuity decrease.

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