Management of alkali burns - An 11-year retrospective review

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To review the spectrum of patients with alkali burns admitted over an 11-year period and to assess the clinical outcomes after the introduction of a standard alkali burn treatment protocol. DESIGN: Retrospective nonrandomized comparative study. PATIENTS AND INTERVENTIONS: A total of 121 patient records with alkali burns (n = 177 eyes) admitted to a tertiary hospital between 1987 and 1998 were reviewed. Eyes treated with a standard alkali burn treatment protocol, which included intensive topical steroids, ascorbate, citrate, and antibiotics, were compared with eyes treated by conservative management with antibiotics, and a short course of steroids. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Time to co..