The Thai Journal of Ophthalmology
The Opthalmological Society of Thailand

Official Publication of the Royal College of Ophthalmologist and Ophthalmological Society of Thailand

The Effect of Alkali on Eyes.

Pinnita Prabhasawat, MD.
Panida Kosrirukvongs, MD.
Department of Ophthalmology Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital Mahidol University.

ABSTRACT A 5 years retrospective study of alkali eye injuries in patients at Siriraj Hospital was analysed.

The purpose was to determine the common causes at alkali eye burns, clinical presenta tion, management and its complications. The result revealed that 9 patients were men and 2 patients were women with a mean age 22.4 + 12.0 years (+ SD.). Most of injuries occured at work. The commonest cause was wet cement 8 cases (72.7 %). The majority of cases had pain with decre ased vision. Four cases (36.4 %) were affected bilaterally. Four eyes (36.4 %) had severed decreased vision (~ 6/60) befor& treatment, and two eyes (13.3%) still had not improved after treatment. The average duration of stay in hospital was 14.7 + 17 days (+ SD.). Only one eye had complication that was symblepharon.