Toxic keratopathy related to antiseptics in nonocular surgery

Abstract

Antiseptics, especially those containing ethanol, are toxic to the ocular surface. Here, we report a 5-year-old girl with antiseptic-related eye injury following an uneventful bilateral tonsillectomy under general anesthesia. Before surgery, her eyes were protected and disinfection of perioral skin with ethanol-containing chlorhexidine followed. Whitening of the lower half of her right ocular surface was found after the surgery, and this indicated severe chemical burn. Prompt irrigation with normal saline, instillation of topical medication, and application of amniotic membrane containing device were performed, which led to a satisfactory result. Toxic eye injury could happen in head and neck surgeries under general anesthesia. Causes of ocular injury include improper eye protection, head positions leading to accumulation of excessive antiseptics, and improper usage of ethanol-containing antiseptics for skin preparation. The use of ethanol-free antiseptic solutions in the peri-ocular region and proper protection of eyes may reduce the risk of severe ocular surface injury in nonocular surgeries.