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International Ophthalmology

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10-01-2022 | Eye Injuries | Original Paper

Shifting trends in demographic features of chemical eye injuries during COVID-19 pandemic

Authors: Elif Akbas, Ilayda Korkmaz, Melis Palamar, Ozlem Barut Selver

Published in: International Ophthalmology | Issue 7/2022

Abstract

Objectives

To evaluate the etiological cause distribution in chemical eye injuries during COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

In this retrospective case series, the medical records of patients, who presented with chemical eye injuries between March 30, 2020, and March 1, 2021, were evaluated and compared with the data covering 10 years before the pandemic.

Results

Twenty-seven eyes of twenty-three patients (19 adults, 4 children) who presented in pandemic period were included. Alcohol-based hand sanitizer was one of the two most common agents (n = 6 eyes) in the pandemic era. In the last 10 years before the pandemic, 137 eyes of 102 patients were treated for chemical eye injuries. Injuries due to alcohol-based hand sanitizer increased from 3.1 to 21.1% among all patients, and from 0 to 75% among pediatric patients during the pandemic era compared to the pre-pandemic period. The increase was statistically significant both in all patients (p = .003) and in the pediatric patient group (p = .048).

Conclusion

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, alcohol-based hand sanitizer use became more common. Consequently, the frequency of hand sanitizer related chemical injuries showed a 13-fold increase and the age group affected by such accidents is altered during the pandemic. Three out of four pediatric patients (75%) were injured with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, which draws attention to the fact that improperly placed hand sanitizer stations, being just at the eye level of children, can cause chemical eye injuries in the pediatric population even more.

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Title: Shifting trends in demographic features of chemical eye injuries during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Elif Akbas
Ilayda Korkmaz
Melis Palamar
Ozlem Barut Selver
Publication date: 10-01-2022
Publisher: Springer Netherlands
Keywords: Eye Injuries
Eye Injuries
COVID-19
Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency
Published in: International Ophthalmology / Issue 7/2022
Print ISSN: 0165-5701
Electronic ISSN: 1573-2630
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-022-02211-x

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Shifting trends in demographic features of chemical eye injuries during COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Keynote webinar | Spotlight on medication adherence

Springer Medicine

Abstract

Objectives

Methods

Results

Conclusion

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