Ocular injury in children from exploding microwaved eggs

Am J Ophthalmol. 2005 Apr;139(4):718-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2004.09.079.

Abstract

Purpose: To report an ocular injury caused by exploding microwave-cooked eggs.

Design: Case reports.

Methods: Two children exposed to exploding microwaved eggs were examined for facial burns and ocular trauma.

Results: One patient sustained mild corneal epithelial damage in both eyes and eyelid burn, which were treated conservatively. The other, injured in the same event, had symblepharon and moderate keratopathy requiring intensive lysis.

Conclusions: Physicians should be alerted to the potential risk of vision-threatening ocular injury from exploding microwaved foods, and the public should be educated not to cook eggs in microwave ovens.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Blast Injuries / etiology*
  • Blast Injuries / pathology
  • Blast Injuries / therapy
  • Child
  • Chloramphenicol / administration & dosage
  • Eggs*
  • Epithelium, Corneal / injuries
  • Explosions*
  • Eye Burns / etiology*
  • Eye Burns / pathology
  • Eye Burns / therapy
  • Eye Injuries / etiology*
  • Eye Injuries / pathology
  • Eye Injuries / therapy
  • Eyelids / injuries
  • Facial Injuries / etiology
  • Facial Injuries / pathology
  • Facial Injuries / therapy
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Microwaves*
  • Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • Chloramphenicol