Ocular burn caused by soft brown soap.
OBJECTIVE
To report the danger of serious chemical ocular burn caused by common household soap.


METHODS
A 20 year old male developed an extensive burn of the right eye after the commonly used soft brown soap (also called floor soap) fell into his face and right eye. The burn caused conjunctival ischemia and necrosis. The cornea was oedematous and denuded of epithelium. The pH of the soap was 11.8. The patient received treatment for alkali burn of the eye. Stem cell transplantation was needed to heal the corneal surface defect. Scar formation and peripheral neovascularisation have reduced the visual acuity to counting fingers at 75 cm.


CONCLUSIONS
This case of serious alkali burn caused by the common soft brown soap demonstrates the potential hazard to the eyes. The manufacturer was sought to write the pH and a warning on the exterior of the container that the "soft brown soap" may cause serious ocular injury.
Maudgal
P C
PC
Ophthalmological Clinic, U.Z. Leuven.
D000328:Adult; D000468:Alkalies / Q000009:adverse effects; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000098:blood supply / Q000473:pathology; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D007511:Ischemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D012915:Soaps / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014792:Visual Acuity
D000468:Alkalies; D012915:Soaps