The role of calcium gluconate in the treatment of hydrofluoric acid eye burn

Ann Emerg Med. 1993 Sep;22(9):1488-90. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0644(05)82003-7.

Abstract

Hydrofluoric acid is used for different purposes in industry and in the home as a rust remover. Most exposures are accidental and may result in severe superficial and deep tissue injury as well as systemic toxicity. There is uncertainty regarding the optimal treatment of hydrofluoric acid eye injury. A patient in whom a solution of 49% hydrofluoric acid induced a large corneal erosion is described. Repeated instillation of 1% calcium gluconate eye drops combined with the conventional treatment of acid eye burns resulted in a complete and quick recovery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Burns, Chemical / drug therapy*
  • Burns, Chemical / etiology
  • Burns, Chemical / pathology
  • Calcium Gluconate / administration & dosage
  • Calcium Gluconate / therapeutic use*
  • Eye Burns / chemically induced
  • Eye Burns / drug therapy*
  • Eye Burns / pathology
  • Humans
  • Hydrofluoric Acid / adverse effects*
  • Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
  • Instillation, Drug
  • Male
  • Occupational Diseases / chemically induced
  • Occupational Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Occupational Diseases / pathology
  • Occupational Exposure*
  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Therapeutic Irrigation

Substances

  • Ophthalmic Solutions
  • Hydrofluoric Acid
  • Calcium Gluconate