Author: Frank R. Burns, MD and Christopher A. Paterson, PhD, DSc.
Publication: Occupational Health & Safety (April 1989)
Chemical burns to the eye are among the most urgent of ocular emergencies. The clinical outcome of the injury is directly related to the expediency with which treatment is begun. Copious irrigation is the most important emergency treatment of the chemically burned eye. This irrigation should begin immediately at the scene of the accident with any nontoxic liquid. Removal of any particulate matter must be done to prevent further ocular damage. The subsequent therapy is directed at the treatment of secondary sequelae and at preserving the globe to surgically rehabilitate the eye. Many of the treatments, which are used in the intermediate and late phases of the injury, are used to prevent corneal ulceration and perforation. These are the most difficult sequelae to threat in alkali injuries; thus, preventing the progression to this stage is of the utmost importance. Again the immediate and continuous irrigation of the eye may help accomplish this goal.
The availability of emergency eyewash equipment dispensing a safe, preserved, pH-balanced, physiologically correct solution in the industrial, agricultural and even the home setting is a necessity. The education of employees and family members in the proper technique of irrigating the eye following a chemical burn is also of extreme importance. Immediate irrigation of the eye, continued during rapid transport to a medical care facility, minimizes the damage to the eye and enhances the eventual clinical outcome.
I just spent three hours in the ER. The trip to the ER was precipitated by my getting a mixture of bleach, Mr. Clean and water in my left eye while scrubbing the soffits of the siding on my house. Whilst in the ER, I had my eye irrigated twice with a 0.9% solution of NaCl using the Morgan Lens to facilitate the irrigation. THANK YOU for creating the Morgan Lens. My eye felt so much better after the second round of irrigation, and it did take two rounds before the pH level in my eye returned to normal. I know companies always hear about the things that go wrong with their equipment. I want you to know that your equipment did something wonderful, and I want you to know how very much I appreciate it.
Patient - Platteville, WI
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
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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.