Chemical Injuries of the Ocular Surface

Exposure of the eye surface to various chemicals can result in tissue damage of varying degrees depending on the type of substance and duration of exposure. Depending on the substance involved, tissues ranging from the conjunctiva (the white part of the eye) with mild damage to the cornea (the transparent layer) with potentially permanent damage can be affected. In some cases, intense adhesions can develop on the eyelid conjunctiva. To minimize exposure time, the most critical step patients should take immediately after chemical contact is to rinse their eyes thoroughly with copious amounts of clean water until they can reach a healthcare provider. Following necessary evaluations by ophthalmologists, medical treatments such as topical medications may be sufficient in some cases, but surgical interventions may be required depending on the location and extent of the damage.