Eye burn

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

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Causes eye burn

Eye injuries most often occur as a result of contact with chemicals, thermal agents, various types of radiation, and electric current.

• Alkalis (slaked or quicklime, lime solution) when in contact with the eyes lead to the most serious burns, causing necrosis and destroying the structure of tissues. The conjunctiva acquires a greenish tint, and the cornea becomes porcelain-white.
• Acids. Acid burns are not as serious as alkali burns. The acid causes the corneal protein to coagulate, which prevents damage to the deeper structures of the eye.
• Ultraviolet radiation. An eye burn from ultraviolet radiation can occur after tanning in a solarium, or when looking at bright sunlight reflected from the surface of water or snow.
• Hot gases and liquids. The stage of the burn depends on the temperature and duration of exposure.
• A characteristic feature of an electric burn is that it is painless and there is a clear distinction between healthy and dead tissue. Severe burns cause eye hemorrhages and retinal edema. Corneal opacity also occurs. Both eyes are most often affected by electric current.

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Eye burn from welding

When the welding machine is in operation, an electric arc is generated that emits ultraviolet radiation. This radiation can cause electrophthalmia (a severe burn of the mucous membrane). The causes of occurrence are failure to comply with safety regulations, powerful ultraviolet and infrared radiation, the effect of smoke generated during welding on the eyes. Symptoms: uncontrollable lacrimation, acute pain, hyperemia of the eyes, swollen eyelids, pain when moving the eyeballs, photophobia. If electrophthalmia has occurred, it is forbidden to rub the eyes with your hands, since rubbing only intensifies the pain and leads to the spread of inflammation. It is important to immediately wash the eyes. If the retina is not damaged by the burn, then vision will be restored in one to three days.

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Risk factors

Corneal burns are most common in construction, manufacturing, and agriculture, but they also occur at home.

Alkalis are especially dangerous because they penetrate the corneal tissue faster and easier. This leads to the death of superficial tissues, and the deep layers of the eye are often damaged. As a result, intraocular pressure may increase and cataracts may develop.

Acids cause denaturation of the protein of the surface layers of the cornea with limited penetration into the tissues, but nevertheless, they can lead to blindness. An exception is hydrofluoric acid, which quickly penetrates through cell membranes and causes necrosis. In addition, fluoride ions that penetrate into the cell reduce the activity of glycolytic enzymes, and also bind with calcium and magnesium to form insoluble compounds.

The next group of substances that can cause corneal burns consists of irritants that have a neutral pH, and although their effects produce similar symptoms, their effects do not cause irreparable damage.

In everyday life, corneal burns occur due to the ingress of ammonium hydroxide, ammonium sulfite, potassium hydroxide, magnesium oxide and calcium hydroxide compounds. They are contained in plant fertilizers and cleaning agents (ammonia). Hydrochloric, sulfuric, nitric and acetic acids are often found in everyday life. Sulfuric acid can be released due to a ruptured car radiator and its ignition. We use acetic acid to make preserves. Nail polish and remover are very damaging to the eyes.

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

You need to be especially careful with various electrical appliances. Make sure there is no damage to the body or cable, and that it is working properly. A burn is also possible when observing such a phenomenon as a solar eclipse, if you stay under the bright sun for a long time without tinted glasses. Ultraviolet light that gets into the eyes can damage the retina, which will lead to impaired vision. This can cause swelling and redness of the eyes, keratoconjunctivitis. Sometimes, corneal opacity occurs. When going on vacation to the sea or to the mountains, you need to protect your eyes from the bright sun.

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Pathogenesis

Exposure to acid, alkali, various radiations, hot gases and liquids causes tissue death and subsequent rejection.

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Symptoms eye burn

The most common symptoms of eye burns are:

• severe pain,
• anxiety,
• photophobia,
• lacrimation,
• blurred vision,
• spasm and swelling of the eyelids,
• burn of the skin around the eyes,
• redness of the eyes,
• corneal opacity,
• pallor of the conjunctiva.

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

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Stages

Burns come in four stages. The first is the mildest, and the fourth is the most severe.

• First degree - redness of the eyelids and conjunctiva, clouding of the cornea.
• The second degree – blisters and superficial films form on the skin of the eyelids and on the conjunctiva.
• The third degree - necrotic changes in the skin of the eyelids, deep films on the conjunctiva that are practically not removed, and a cloudy cornea that resembles opaque glass.
• The fourth degree is necrosis of the skin, conjunctiva and sclera with deep opacity of the cornea. An ulcer forms at the site of necrotic areas, the healing process of which ends with scars.

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Forms

The classification of types of corneal burns can be carried out according to the causes that caused them and the degree of severity.

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Complications and consequences

The consequences and complications directly depend on the stage of the burn.

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Diagnostics eye burn

As a rule, there are no problems with diagnosing Eye burn. It is established based on characteristic symptoms and questioning the patient or witnesses of this event. The diagnosis should be made as soon as possible. With the help of tests and examination: the doctor determines the factor that caused the burn and makes a conclusion.

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

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Treatment eye burn

First aid is aimed at determining what substance caused the burn. The irritant must be removed from the eye as soon as possible. It can be removed with a cloth or cotton swab. If possible, the material is removed from the conjunctiva by everting the upper eyelid and cleaning it with a swab. The affected eye is then rinsed with water or a disinfectant solution, such as a two percent boric acid solution, a three percent tannin solution, or other liquids. Rinsing should be repeated for several minutes. To reduce the severe pain and fear that accompany a burn, the patient can be anesthetized and given sedatives.

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

It is recommended to put a gauze pad on the eyelids, which is soaked in antiseptic ointment, use drops of eserine 0.03%. It is allowed to use eye drops with antibiotics:

• tobrex 0.3% (1-2 drops are instilled every hour; contraindications - intolerance to any component of the drug; can be prescribed to children from birth.),
• signicef 0.5% (1-2 drops every two hours up to eight times a day, reducing the dosage to four times a day. The duration of treatment is determined individually. Side effects - local allergic reactions.),
• drops of 0.25% chloramphenicol, instilled with a pipette once three times a day, one drop)
• drops of taufon 4% (locally, in the form of instillation two to three drops 3-4 times a day. There are no contraindications or side effects),
• In severe conditions, dexamethasone is prescribed (can be administered either locally or by injection, intramuscularly 4–20 mg three to four times a day).

The damaged eye must not be allowed to dry out. To prevent this, apply abundant Vaseline and xeroform ointment. Tetanus serum is administered. For general maintenance of the body in case of a corneal burn, vitamins are recommended to be prescribed during the rehabilitation period. They are used internally or in the form of intramuscular or intravenous injections.

Massage and physical therapy may be used to improve blood circulation.

The goal of inpatient treatment is maximum preservation of eye function. For first- and second-degree burns, the prognosis is favorable. For the latter two, surgical treatment is indicated - layered or penetrating keratoplasty.

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

Treatment of burns with folk methods

It is necessary to eat as many carrots as possible, as they contain carotene, which is good for our eyes.

Add fish oil to your diet. It contains nitrogenous material and polyunsaturated acids that help restore tissue.

For a minor burn from electric welding, you can cut a potato in half and place it on your eyes.

Herbal treatment

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

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

Pour 1 cup of boiling water over 20 grams of crushed plantain leaves and leave for one hour. For external use.

Homeopathic remedies

• Oculoheel - the drug is used for eye irritation and conjunctivitis. Anti-inflammatory. Prescribed to adults one or two drops twice a day. No contraindications. Side effects are unknown.
• Mucosa compositum – used for inflammatory, erosive diseases of the mucous membranes. Prescribed at the beginning of treatment, one ampoule every day for three days. Side effects are unknown. There are no contraindications.
• Gelseminum. Gelseminum. The active substance is made from the underground part of the plant Gelsemium sempervirens. Recommended for relieving acute stabbing pain in the eye, glaucoma. Adults take 8 granules three to five times a day.
• Aurum. A remedy for deep lesions of organs and tissues. The recommended dose for adults is 8 granules 3 times a day. It has no contraindications.

All traditional and non-traditional treatment methods given in this article are for informational purposes only. What may have a positive effect on one person may not work for another. 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 simply following safety rules when working with flammable liquids, chemicals, household chemicals, and working with electrical appliances. When in bright sunlight, wear sunglasses. Patients who have suffered corneal burns are recommended to be monitored by an ophthalmologist for 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, and the correctness of the therapy.

In case of third and fourth degree eye burns, the conjunctival cavity may become overgrown, a cataract may form, and visual acuity may decrease.

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