Chemical burns of the eye : causes and management STEPHEN

Chemical injuries of the eye form a small but significant fraction of ocular trauma. Three recent studies'-3 put the incidence at 7, 8-7, and 9-9% of all ocular trauma, respectively. While many of these injuries are trivial, with no lasting adverse effects, others, notably those involving strong alkalis and to a less extent acids and other noxious substances, are potentially blinding. This study was prompted by a recent rise in the incidence of chemical trauma due to assault seen at Croydon Eye Unit, and set out to determine what substances are involved, which people are at risk, and the frequency of assault cases.