Author: Carl H. Spear, O.D.
Publication: Optometric Management (March 1998)
Although most offices have the supplies and equipment necessary to treat an ocular chemical burn, they may not be easy to find in the event of an emergency. As such events are fairly rare, protocols are often lacking and office staff may not be prepared. This article provides concrete information on how to develop a systematic approach for treating a chemically-burned patient.
The approach presented includes suggestions on how to prepare your office (consolidating supplies, keeping a supply list, and training of staff) in addition to how to treat the patient upon arrival. Commonly seen chemicals and a list of necessary supplies, including the Morgan Lens, are included.
A 37-year-old man was arrested by the NYPD and in the struggle, mace was sprayed into his eyes. The patient was also cocaine intoxicated. He was thrashing about so violently that we could not effectively irrigate his eyes with IV tubing, nor with the nasal cannula (attached to IV tubing) straddling his nose. The Morgan Lens worked beautifully.
Physician (New York)
MorTan Inc.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 8719
Missoula, MT 59807
U.S.A.
Shipping Address:
329 East Pine St
Missoula, MT 59802
U.S.A.
Toll-Free Telephone: 1-800-423-8659
Telephone: 406-728-2522
Fax: 406-728-9332
Email: mortan@morganlens.com
Hours
Monday - Thursday
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM MT
Friday
8:00 - 1:00 PM MT
The Morgan Lens is used in 90% of hospital emergency departments in the USA and can be inserted in less than 20 seconds. There simply is no other "hands-free" method of eye irrigation. Nothing else frees medical personnel to treat other injuries or to transport the patient while irrigation is underway. Nothing is more effective at treating ocular chemical, thermal, and actinic burns or removing non-embedded foreign bodies, even when the patient's eyes are closed tightly. Its design makes it simple and straightforward to use so minimal training is required.