Long-term sequelae of isolated chemical "airbag" keratitis.
OBJECTIVE
To report the long-term sequelae of a case of bilateral chemical keratitis caused by airbag deployment.


METHODS
Case report and review of the literature.


RESULTS
A 21-year-old woman presented with bilateral reduced vision, photophobia, and tearing after a car accident. Examination revealed some facial burns and severe chemical injury to the cornea and conjunctiva. Immediate irrigation with physiologic saline solution and subsequent treatment with topical antibiotics, corticosteroids, and vitamin C resulted in full restoration of vision but could not prevent permanent corneal damage.


CONCLUSIONS
Severe alkali injury of the cornea generally has a good prognosis but can lead to permanent damage and persistent complaints of dry eye.
de Vries
Shidan
S
Rotterdam Eye Hospital, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Geerards
Annette Jm
AJ
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D017278:Air Bags / Q000009:adverse effects*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001205:Ascorbic Acid / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D020795:Photophobia / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001205:Ascorbic Acid