Ten Years of Pediatric Ocular Chemical Burn Experience in a Tertiary Eye Care Center in Turkey

Objectives: To report 10 years of pediatric ocular chemical burn experience in a tertiary eye care center in Turkey. Methods: Thirty-three patients aged 18 years and younger who presented with ocular chemical burn between 2011 and 2021 were enrolled. Demographic data and clinical characteristics of patients were reviewed. Limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) stage was assessed according to LSCD working group's staging system. The initial and final best-corrected visual acuities were recorded. Results: The mean age was 10.4 +/- 5.5 (0.25-18) years with an F/M ratio of 12/21. Eleven (33.3%) of the patients were injured with acid and 5 (15.1%) with alkaline. The most common causative agent was nail polish remover (n=7, 21.2%), followed by cologne (n=5, 15.1%) and hand sanitizer (n=4, 12.1%). The severity of burn was >= grade 4 in 20 patients (60.6%). Chemical injury resulted in LSCD in 18 patients (54.5%). Surgery was performed (LSCD >= Stage 2 B) in 13 patients (39.3%); limbal stem cell transplantation (LSCT) (n=11), staged amniotic membrane transplantation, and symblepharon release (n=2). Penetrating keratoplasty after LSCT was performed in three of 11 patients. The mean follow-up time was 31.9 +/- 28.6 months (6-102.33) after the surgery. Conclusions: In pediatric population, accurate diagnosis and management of ocular chemical burns are challenging. Although the severity of burn and consequently LSCD rate seems to be high in children, comparative studies in a larger population are still needed.