Author: Kuckelkorn R, Schrage N, Keller G, Redbrake C. Department of Opgthalmology, Universitatsklinikum der RWTH Aachen, Germany.
Journal: Acta Ophthalmol Scand. 2002 Feb;80(1):4-10.
Abstract: Chemical and thermal eye burns account for a small but significant fraction of ocular trauma. The speed at which initial irrigation of the eye begins, has the greatest influence on the prognosis and outcome of eye burns. Water is commonly recommended as an irrigation fluid. However, water is hypotonic to the corneal stroma. The osmolarity gradient causes an increased water influx into the corneal structures. We therefore recommend higher osmolarities for the initial rinsing to mobilize water and the dissolved corrosives out of the burnt tissue. Universal systems such as amphoteric solutions, which have an unspecific binding with bases and acids, provide a convenient solution for emergency neutralisation. Both conservative anti-inflammatory therapy and early surgical intervention are important to reduce the inflammatory response of the burnt tissue. In most severe eye burns, tenonplasty re-establishes the conjunctival surface and limbal vascularity and prevents anterior segment necrosis.
Three Army soldiers were on their way to us following an explosion of an improvised device. The driver had goggles on and suffered extensive facial trauma and all three had eye injuries from the debris that hit them. We got bilateral Morgan Lenses in all three and flushed each with several liters of LR. Followed with antibiotics, they were rebandaged and on an emergency air evacuation that evening. These men were grateful for the care they received. The technicians and physicians here are thankful that everyone knew what to do to get the lens system set up and running. I am grateful to you for the opportunity to access the class online and ability to present it shortly after we arrived. One of the others did have a corneal laceration that we could assess after flushing. We feel confident that all will have the best outcomes thanks to the Morgan Lens use.
We also had a patient who experienced an electrical explosion (a generator) to his face. We used Morgan Lenses to irrigate his eyes and sent him on an air evacuation flight to Germany. He has since returned to duty and is doing well with minimal residual sight loss.
Military Registered Nurse (Active Duty)
MorTan Inc.
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 8719
Missoula, MT 59807
U.S.A.
Shipping Address:
329 East Pine St
Missoula, MT 59802
U.S.A.
Toll-Free Telephone: 1-800-423-8659
Telephone: 406-728-2522
Fax: 406-728-9332
Email: mortan@morganlens.com
Hours
Monday - Thursday
7:30 AM - 4:00 PM MT
Friday
8:00 - 1:00 PM MT
The Morgan Lens is used in 90% of hospital emergency departments in the USA and can be inserted in less than 20 seconds. There simply is no other "hands-free" method of eye irrigation. Nothing else frees medical personnel to treat other injuries or to transport the patient while irrigation is underway. Nothing is more effective at treating ocular chemical, thermal, and actinic burns or removing non-embedded foreign bodies, even when the patient's eyes are closed tightly. Its design makes it simple and straightforward to use so minimal training is required.