Author: Upfal M, Doyle C, Department of Family Medicine, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201
Journal: J Occup Med 1990 Aug;32(8):726-31
Abstract: Hydrofluoric acid burns are usually due to accidental exposure. Deep tissue injury may result, damaging nerves, blood vessels. tendons, and bone. Concentrated hydrofluoric acid may cause immediate pain; dilute solutions may result in a delay of symptoms for many hours. Symptoms are usually out of proportion to the observed injury. Appropriate first aid and medical management can dramatically affect the prognosis. Local treatment consists of copious water lavage and the application of topical neutralization agents. For more severe exposures, calcium gluconate injection or intraarterial infusion of calcium gluconate may be indicated as well. Life-threatening alterations of electrolytes can occur, with ensuring arrhythmias. Inhalation, ingestion, and ocular exposures require specialized treatment and referral.
While beginning to wear contact lenses, I had an experience which the use of the Morgan Lens saved the day.
I was just finishing a sixteen-hour shift as manager and staff nurse of the ED when I was notified that they had received a bomb threat. Disaster situation were part of my duties, so I went into action. By 4:00 AM, I realized I still had my contacts in. So I got a container and soaked them in an eye solution from our eye tray. I arrived home with enough time to take a quick nap before returning to work for another sixteen-hour shift. When I put my contacts in, I felt like someone had placed a hot poker into my eyes. I took the contacts out, but my eyes continued to burn and were also fire engine red. I did report to work at 7:00 AM but my eyes continued to burn. I then decided the best thing I could do was to irrigate, so I placed a Morgan lens into both eyes and irrigated with 1000 cc of lactated Ringer's. Laying down during the irrigation process was relaxing and I felt no discomfort while my eyes were irrigated. After the process, the burning was relieved and I was able to complete my shift without further discomfort.
Registered Nurse (South Carolina)
MorTan Inc.
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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.