title: Corneal injury due to a calcium hydroxide containing food preparation product ("cal").
abstract: Alkaline chemicals can cause severe ocular injury, leaving the victim with significant visual impairment. Calcium hydroxide is a strong alkali present in some household products. We report a case of corneal alkali burns in a 5-year-old boy due to calcium hydroxide powder ("cal") used in preparation of corn masa. Prompt recognition of "cal" as calcium hydroxide will allow the practitioner to appropriately render effective treatment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA. suzyschmidt@sbcglobal.net
authors.forename: Suzanne M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Clair J
authors.initials: CJ
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Adler
authors.forename: Bahram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Rahmani
mesh_terms: D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000628:therapy*; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide / Q000506:poisoning*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011208:Powders
chemical_list: D011208:Powders; D002126:Calcium Hydroxide