Abstract
Purpose:
To analyze the clinical features, management, and short-term outcomes of acute ocular thermochemical injuries caused by carbide gun explosions, and to evaluate the role of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT).
Design:
Retrospective observational study.
Methods:
This study included 20 eyes from 18 patients presenting to a tertiary eye care center in India with acute thermochemical burns caused by carbide guns during Diwali. All patients underwent immediate ocular irrigation, detailed ophthalmic evaluation, and injury grading using Dua’s classification. Following assessment of clinical parameters—including visual acuity, corneal epithelial defect, corneal haze, limbal and conjunctival involvement, intraocular pressure, and pain scores—all eyes received standardized medical therapy followed by overlay AMT. Outcomes were analyzed descriptively.
Results:
The mean age was 20.25 ± 10.58 years; all patients were male. Most injuries were unilateral and associated with direct carbide gun use. The median presenting injury grade was Dua’s grade III. Mean presenting visual acuity was logMAR 1.77 ± 0.65, improving to logMAR 0.77 ± 0.62 at three months. Complete epithelialization was achieved in all eyes, with a mean healing time of 22.52 ± 22.4 days. Pain scores significantly improved from a mean of 6.05 to 1.16. Repeat AMT was required in 21% of eyes. Cicatricial complications were infrequent, and no case developed secondary glaucoma. One eye with delayed presentation progressed to phthisis bulbi.
Conclusion:
Early aggressive management with AMT yields favorable short-term outcomes in carbide gun–related ocular thermochemical injuries.