Ocular surface chemical injury (OSCI) is a common type of ocular emergency that can potentially cause significant and permanent visual impairment. However, the global prevalence, demographic factors, socioeconomic burden, and psychological impact of OSCI have not been well investigated or reported. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these aspects, highlight gaps in the literature, and advocate key strategies in reducing the incidence of OSCI. OSCI was responsible for 0.1-15% of all ocular emergency presentations, with an estimated incidence of 5.1-50 per 100,000 population-year. Young working adult men were the most at-risk group, though high rates of OSCI were also observed in young children in developed countries, especially from detergent pods. Low- and middle-income countries were noted to have higher proportions of assault-related and pediatric OSCI cases, often with more severe presentations. Direct and indirect costs for some hospitalized patients led to loss of all personal and household income after the injury. Emergency department costs in the United States were estimated at $106.7 million over four years and costs of treating long term complications such as glaucoma were estimated to be as high as $93,003 over five years. Significant negative impacts on visual and health-related quality of life and psychological well-being have been reported after injury, with higher rates of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress compared to the general population.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and potential healing efficacy of the topical ocular administration of a gelatin membrane containing usnic acid/liposomes (UALs) for corneal cicatrization. UALs have shown healing activity in animal models of dermal burn lesions. We evaluated the safety of topical ocular administration of UAL and its potential healing efficacy as an ophthalmic treatment on chemical lesions in rabbit eyes.
METHODS: The Draize test was used to check for ocular toxicity and the score was zero at each observation, indicating the ocular safety of a gelatin membrane containing usnic acid/liposome. Its potential healing efficacy as an ophthalmic treatment on chemical lesions in rabbit eyes was also assessed.
RESULTS: After epithelial removal and treatment with UAL, there was a 49.4 % reduction in injury under in vivo conditions compared with a 36.6 % reduction in the control, a gelatin membrane containing liposome without usnic acid. Histological analysis of ocular surface chemical injury-tissue sections after treatment with UAL supported these observations. The corneal expression of VEGF and TGF-β1increased by 70 % and 50 % respectively following treatment with UAL gelatin membrane.
CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate the potential therapeutic application of UAL gelatin membranes as an ophthalmic treatment that may be used for corneal cicatrization.

BACKGROUND: This study describes a case of eye burn induced by sodium hypochlorite used as an irrigant during root canal preparation.
METHODS: A 24-year-old female endodontist was using an operating microscope during root canal treatment, and as the root canal was irrigated, the pressure cannula burst and the irrigant (3.5% sodium hypochlorite) came into direct contact with her left eye. She immediately sought ophthalmologic emergency care for pain, redness of the cornea, burning sensation, photophobia, intraocular pressure, and blurred vision. The initial treatment consisted of washing the eye with saline solution and administering analgesic and anti-inflammatory (steroid) medications. One day after the accident, a topical demulcent and hydroxypropyl medication were applied to the eyeball (conjunctiva), the eye was bandaged for 24 hours, and rest was prescribed for 7 days. Eight days later, a corneal ulcer was diagnosed, and antibiotic and anti-inflammatory (steroid) medications were used.
RESULTS: Vision was restored without any sequelae 4 weeks after the accident. The endodontist was instructed to apply control medication (Lagricel; Sophia SA, Caracas, Venezuela) for 3 months and to return for ophthalmologic follow-up every 6 months.
CONCLUSIONS: Sodium hypochlorite is an effective antibacterial irrigant indicated for the treatment of root canal infections. The tissue cytotoxicity highlights the need to inform the patient of the risk factors of accidents and enhance care with individual protection equipment for the patient and the professional during clinical procedures.

A 14-year-old girl presented with bilateral visual impairment following hot water injury to the eyes. The patient was admitted for a week and managed with guttae tropicamide 0.5% 8 h, diclofenac sodium 0.1% 4 h, and fluoroquinolone 0.3% 6 h and ointment chloramphenicol 8 h. Also, the patient was managed with capsule doxycycline 100 mg 12 h for 10 days, tablet cataflam 50 mg 12 h for 7 days and intramuscular tetanus toxoid 0.5 mg stat and dermacine cream for facial scald. The visual acuities improved from 3/60 (right eye) and 6/24 (left eye) to 6/6 in both eyes. There were resolutions of facial/eye pain, tearing, photophobia, lid edema, blepharospasm, and conjunctival hyperemia. There was complete healing of facial wounds and corneal ulcers. She was discharged from hospital on the 7th day of admission. Prompt presentation, degree of scald sustained, and appropriate medical intervention enhanced visual recovery and wound healing in the patient.

By observing clinical cases, we studied the curative effect of amnion membrane transplantation on decreasing corneal neovascularization (CNV). It was a non-randomized retrospective case-control study. Among 17 cases (21 eyes) of third-degree alkali burns from 2007 to 2010, 10 cases (12 eyes) were performed with amnion membrane transplantation operation, and others were not. Amnion membrane transplantation was performed at the 3(rd) day after burn in the treatment group. Areas of CNV in double groups were measured at the 14(th) day and 60(th) day after burn. Area of CNV in the treatment group was (66.207±7.251)mm(2) at the 14(th) day after burn, and was 18.27% lower than that in the control group. Area of CNV in the treatment group was (120.046±13.812)mm(2) at the 60(th) day after burn, and was 11.35% lower than that in the control group. There was both statistical significance (P<0.05). Amnion membrane transplantation operation can inhibit the growth of corneal neovascularization induced by alkali burn.