title: Corneal edema related to accidental Hibiclens exposure.
abstract: Five patients developed corneal edema presumably caused by accidental preoperative ocular exposure to Hibiclens. In all cases, the patients complained of ocular pain after surgery. Conjunctival inflammation and corneal epithelial defects were found in all patients. Between two and ten weeks after exposure, stromal and epithelial edema, with a predilection for the inferior cornea initially, developed in all patients. The corneal edema resolved in three patients in approximately six months, leaving mild stromal scarring and reduced endothelial cell counts. The corneal edema in the other two patients progressed to diffuse bullous keratopathy, which eventually required penetrating keratoplasty. We recommend that Hibiclens be avoided in preoperative preparation of the facial skin to prevent accidental ocular exposure.
authors.affiliation: Stein Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, UCLA School of Medicine 90024-1771.
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Phinney
authors.forename: B J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Mondino
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Hofbauer
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Meisler
authors.forename: R H
authors.initials: RH
authors.lastname: Langston
authors.forename: S L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Forstot
authors.forename: S C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Benes
mesh_terms: D000059:Accidents; D000328:Adult; D002710:Chlorhexidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004487:Edema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: C010882:chlorhexidine gluconate; D002710:Chlorhexidine