What Are The Treatments For Eye Chemical Burns?

Chemical burns--caused by either acid or alkali substances--can cause pain, light sensitivity, reduced vision and damage to the eyelids. According to the "Handbook of Ocular Disease Management," burns caused by an alkali, such as drain cleaner, tend to be more damaging because the chemical continues to create damage beyond the initial exposure. Treatment for chemical burns of the eye includes immediate and long-term measures--the initial goal is to remove the foreign substance and limit the damage, while the long-term goal is to manage any structural damage to improve the function of the eye and surrounding tissues.

Irrigation of the Eye

Immediately after exposure to any chemical, the eye needs to be irrigated continuously for up to two hours. The irrigation can begin even before the patient arrives at the hospital or doctor's office, according to the Merck Manual. At the doctor's office, there are specific irrigation tools that can be set up so that the eye receives continuous fluid. The health-care provider will stop the lavage once the pH of the injured tissue is close to neutral, which is between 6 and 8. This procedure may limit some of the damage to the eye.

Antibiotics

Almost all chemical injuries to the eye will require some antibiotic treatment. Some eye doctors may use an antibiotic solution while removing any foreign particles that may be present in the tissue, according to the "Handbook of Ocular Disease Management." The doctor typically prescribes topical antibiotics for the patient to prevent infection while the cornea and conjunctival tissue heals.

Medications for Pain and Inflammation

For more serious eye injuries, the inside of the eye may have an inflammatory reaction and require corticosteroid medication. According to Jimmy D. Bartlett and Siret D. Jaanus in the textbook "Clinical Ocular Pharmacology," the use of corticosteroids beyond seven days after the initial injury can increase the risk of corneal ulcer development. The use of a dilating drop such as scopolamine--which relaxes the muscles of the iris--may relieve some pain in the eye as well. More serious injuries may require oral pain medications.

Eyelid Surgery

Some chemical burns involve surrounding tissues, such as the eyelid and conjunctiva. This type of injury to the eyelids may cause scarring, which can affect the function of the eyelids. According to an article by Raman Malhotra and colleagues in a 2009 issue of Survey of Ophthalmology, surgical intervention may be needed if the eyelid does not cover the cornea properly. This might involve reconstruction of the eyelids and depends on the eyelid skin that is present and that can be used.

Corneal Transplant

After a chemical burn, the cornea may remain cloudy because of scarring from the injury, which would cause decreased visual acuity. The eye surgeon may perform a corneal transplant, where the scarred tissue is replaced by the clear tissue of a donor cornea. According to the Center for Excellence in Eye Care website, corneal transplants due to chemical burns have lower success rates than those done for other types of corneal diseases.

Limbal Stem Cell Therapy

A surgical procedure called limbal stem cell therapy can be used to treat the damage to the corneal tissues caused by a chemical burn. The limbus is a zone of tissue at the edge of the cornea that can manage repair of corneal tissues. This area can be destroyed by a burn. In a 2010 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, Dr. Paolo Rama and colleagues found that transplanting just the limbal cells can improve the clarity of the cornea and improve vision in patients.