Ocular Burns Workup

  • Author: Cheri N M Weaver, MD; Chief Editor: Robert E O'Connor, MD, MPH   more...
 
Updated: Oct 27, 2011
 

Approach Considerations

Evaluating airway and breathing in patients who have sustained ocular thermal burns during a fire is essential.

Ocular pH measurement is essential in the evaluation of a chemical burn. No additional laboratory studies are warranted in cases of isolated ocular injury; additional studies should be considered if warranted by coexisting injuries.

Evaluate all patients with alkali injuries to the face for tracheal and esophageal burns, which are potentially life-threatening. Hydrofluoric acid burns can cause significant hypocalcemia. Consider checking the calcium level for burns that are not limited to the eye.

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Contributor Information and Disclosures
Author

Cheri N M Weaver, MD  Resident Physician, Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Carlo L Rosen, MD  Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School; Program Director, Vice Chair for Education, Department of Emergency Medicine, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center/Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency program

Carlo L Rosen, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Society for Academic Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Debra Slapper, MD  Consulting Staff, Department of Emergency Medicine, St Anthony's Hospital

Debra Slapper, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD  Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Medscape Salary Employment

Chief Editor

Robert E O'Connor, MD, MPH  Professor and Chair, Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Virginia Health System

Robert E O'Connor, MD, MPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Emergency Medicine, American College of Emergency Physicians, American College of Physician Executives, American Heart Association, American Medical Association, Medical Society of Delaware, National Association of EMS Physicians, Society for Academic Emergency Medicine, and Wilderness Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

References

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  17. Marquez De Aracena Del Cid R, Montero De Espinosa Escoriaza I. Subconjunctival application of regenerative factor-rich plasma for the treatment of ocular alkali burns. Eur J Ophthalmol. Nov-Dec 2009;19(6):909-15. [Medline].

 
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