title: Molten metal-related ocular thermal burn: report on two cases.
abstract: We report two cases of severe thermal burns on the ocular surface and its adnexal appendages that developed secondary to exposure to molten heavy metal with a melting temperature of near-thousand degree Celsius. Despite aggressive intervention and strict monitoring, the profound inflammation caused significant damage to the ocular surface, ending up in an intractable infection with an unfavorable outcome. The heat of the molten metal at impact, the heat-retaining capacity of the heavy metal, the total area of the ocular surface exposed to the molten metal, and the duration of exposure determined the severity of the injury. The unfavorable outcome, despite an intensive treatment, in terms of visual acuity and cosmetic appearance, should be explicitly explained to the patient, and a psychiatrist consultation should be considered if necessary.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Ceyhun
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Arici
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Guzin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Iskeleli
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kars State Hospital, Kars, Turkey.
authors.forename: Eray
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Atalay
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Okmeydani Training and Research Hospital, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Serhat
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Mangan
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Cerrahpasa School of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Belgin
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kilic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D065306:Corneal Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006358:Hot Temperature; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008670:Metals; D008875:Middle Aged; D015599:Trauma Severity Indices; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D008670:Metals