Ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery
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Ophthal Plast Reconstr Surg · May 2002
Ophthalmologic sequelae of thermal burns over ten years at the Alfred Hospital.
To study the ocular outcomes of facial burns over a 10-year period at the Alfred Hospital; in particular, to investigate the impact of 3 variables (grading of burn, use of prophylactic ocular surface lubrication, and timing of ophthalmologic referral) on the requirements for eyelid surgery. ⋯ The requirement for eyelid surgery was closely related to the severity of the eyelid burn. The presence of an acute corneal burn with epithelial loss was not a poor prognosticator. The use of prophylactic ocular surface lubrication may provide early corneal protection, thereby minimizing ulceration in patients who may otherwise have required surgery, especially in those with mild to moderate exposure. Prompt ophthalmologic examination and the early use of prophylactic ocular surface lubrication for the cornea are associated with less need for eyelid surgery in patients with moderate eyelid burns.