Clinical profile and management of ocular superglue injuries: Case series and review of literature

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the clinical profile and management of patients with ocular superglue injury (OSI). Methods: This retrospective study included all patients with OSI who presented at a tertiary eye care institute between 2016 and 2020. Data regarding demographics, clinical profile, and management were collected. Results: A total of 66 eyes of 58 patients (24 children, 34 adults) with a median age of 22.5 years [interquartile range (IQR): 11.3–31] were included. All cases sustained accidental injuries, with domestic injury at home being the most common location of injury among children (79%) and adults (53%) (P = 0.39). The median visual acuity at presentation was worse in children [0.3 logMAR (IQR: 0.2–0.4)] as compared to adults [0.1 logMAR (IQR: 0.1–0.3)] (P = 0.03)]. The most common clinical sign at presentation was conjunctival congestion in 77% of eyes (51/66) followed by polymerized glue stuck to the eyelashes and eyelids in 52% of eyes (34/66). The median duration from the time of injury to presentation was 2 hours in both groups. All eyes resolved with medical management. Examination under anesthesia was required in three children (13%) to evaluate the extent of OSI. None of the patients had long-term ocular complications. Conclusion: Improper and careless handling of superglue in the domestic setting may cause accidental ocular injuries that require immediate medical attention. OSI represents less severe ocular injuries that respond to medical therapy alone and is not associated with long-term visual morbidity. Modifications in the packaging of superglue containers and awareness about their deleterious effects could prevent these injuries.

Keywords

• improper handling
• ocular superglue injury
• unsupervised children