Urgent Surgical Treatment of Chemical Burns Grade V/VI: Difference In Blindness and Vision
Purpose
To evaluate the effectiveness of aggressive surgical treatment in less than 3 hours in the scale of DUAcausticizations grade V-VI to maintain the survival of limbo and improve visual acuity.
Methods
Two eyes with severe chemical burns DUA scale grade V and VI were analyzed. We offered aggressive surgical treatment and cleared intraoperative eye. In less than 3 hours transplanted amniotic membrane were done and in 24-hour amniotic membrane grafted as conjunctival flap again. Visual acuity, extension of the ulcer and the presence or absence of symblepharon were measured at a month, 3 months, 6 months and 8 months. Photos were taken in all reviews. Medical treatment used was recommended by the protocol of our Hospital.
Results
In the eye with grade V caustication visual acuity was 20/25. The patient has limbal insufficiency in three quadrants and both superior and inferior symblepharon.
In the eye with caustic burns grade VI, despite having acted under the same protocol, the AV is counting fingers at 8 months after treatment, with full conjunctivalization symblepharon and corneal profuse.
Conclusion
The use of aggressive surgical techniques such as amniotic membrane graft is the key to functional recovery of the eye that has suffered severe burns and should be done as soon as possible. However, when the limbo is totally affected, those treatments are ineffective and lead to severe visual loss.