Acute ocular chemical injury: a descriptive assessment and management review at St. John Eye Hospital, Jerusalem, Palestine
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Abstract
Background: The purpose of the study was to assess caregivers’ compliance with the management protocol for chemical injury at St. John Eye Hospital, Jerusalem.
Material and methods: Charts of all new chemical injury patients who presented to St. John Eye Hospital, Jerusalem, between January and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. Data categories collected included: presentation, age, sex, injury, irrigation, lids, visual acuity, slit-lamp examination (SLE), management plan, and medications given. Data were stored and analysed using Excel.
Results: Patients’ presentation date and time, sex, and age were recorded in over 90% of cases. The mechanism of injury and type of offending chemical were recorded in 65% of cases. The irrigating solution was identified in 50% of cases. Corrected visual acuity was recorded in both eyes in almost 50% of cases. Limbal ischemia was documented in 45% of cases, and intraocular pressure (IOP) was recorded in 25%. The management plan and explanation of the condition to patients were documented in less than 50% of cases. Antibiotics and steroids (drops/ointment) were prescribed in 92.5% of cases.
Conclusions: The results of this study reveal that our documentation needs improvement for several parameters. Several recommendations were formulated:
- Emphasize to caregivers that irrigation must be done first.
- Corrected visual acuity should be attempted for both eyes in all cases, and reasons for not recording it should be documented.
- It is important to document and record limbus details, iris details, and IOP in all cases.
Keywords: chemical injuryprotocolassessmentmanagementPalestine
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