Skip to main content
PMC home page
Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society logoLink to Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society
. 1990;88:649–684.

Ocular hydrofluoric acid burns: animal model, mechanism of injury and therapy.

J P McCulley 1
PMCID: PMC1298602  PMID: 2095035

Abstract

A series of ocular HF burns was produced in rabbits in order to clarify the nature of the injury and to provide a description of the animal model. Burned eyes were evaluated clinically and allowed to progress for up to 65 days before histologic examination. The mechanism of HF toxicity was investigated through the study of burns produced by chemicals chosen to mimic its pH effects, osmotic effects, and effects of the free fluoride ion alone. The severe progressive caustic effect of HF on the eyes was found to depend on the combination of pH and the toxic effects of the free fluoride ion, together causing extensive dose-related damage to superficial and deep structures of the eye. Mild burns caused reversible ocular injury; whereas more severe burns lead to corneal stromal scarring, vascularization, edema, formation of calcific band keratopathy plus iris and ciliary body fibrosis. An investigation was made of potential treatments for experimental ocular HF burns in rabbits. Topical ointments containing MgO or MgSO4 and irrigations with or subconjunctival injections of H2O or solutions containing NaCl, MgCl2, CaCl2, LaCl3, hyamine, zephiran, calcium gluconate or a mixture of divalent metal ions were tested for toxicity and for therapeutic value in ocular HF burns. Immediate single irrigation with H2O, NaCl or MgCl2 solution was most effective. Other therapeutic agents commonly used in HF skin burn therapy were either too toxic in normal eyes or caused additive damage to burned eyes.

Full text

PDF
682

Images in this article

652FIGURE 1
on p.652
663FIGURE 6
on p.663
665FIGURE 7
on p.665
666FIGURE 8
on p.666

Selected References

These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.

  1. CRAIG R. D. HYDROFLUORIC ACID BURNS OF THE HANDS. Br J Plast Surg. 1964 Jan;17:53–59. doi: 10.1016/s0007-1226(64)80010-2. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  2. Carney S. A., Hall M., Lawrence J. C., Ricketts C. R. Rationale of the treatment of hydrofluoric acid burns. Br J Ind Med. 1974 Oct;31(4):317–321. doi: 10.1136/oem.31.4.317. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  3. Dibbell D. G., Iverson R. E., Jones W., Laub D. R., Madison M. S. Hydrofluoric acid burns of the hand. J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1970 Jul;52(5):931–936. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  4. HARLEY R. D. An experimental study on the evaluation of hydrosulphosol in the treatment of ocular injuries due to chemical burns. Trans Am Soc Ophthalmol Otolaryngol Allergy. 1951;49:557–594. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  5. Iverson R. E., Laub D. R., Madison M. S. Hydrofluoric acid burns. Plast Reconstr Surg. 1971 Aug;48(2):107–112. doi: 10.1097/00006534-197108000-00001. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  6. Jelenko C., 3rd Chemicals that "burn". J Trauma. 1974 Jan;14(1):65–72. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  7. LARNER J. Toxicological and metabolic effects of fluorine-containing compounds. Ind Med Surg. 1950 Nov;19(11):535–539. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  8. MAYER L., GUELICH J. HYDROGEN FLUORIDE (HF) INHALATION AND BURNS. Arch Environ Health. 1963 Oct;7:445–447. doi: 10.1080/00039896.1963.10663563. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  9. McCulley J. P., Whiting D. W., Petitt M. G., Lauber S. E. Hydrofluoric acid burns of the eye. J Occup Med. 1983 Jun;25(6):447–450. doi: 10.1097/00043764-198306000-00008. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  10. PATERSON J. D. Control of the fluorine hazard. Br J Ind Med. 1956 Oct;13(4):301–303. doi: 10.1136/oem.13.4.301. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  11. Reinhardt C. F., Hume W. G., Linch A. L., Wetherhold J. M. Hydrofluoric acid burn treatment. Am Ind Hyg Assoc J. 1966 Mar-Apr;27(2):166–171. doi: 10.1080/00028896609342811. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  12. Schultz G., Henkind P., Gross E. M. Acid burns of the eye. Am J Ophthalmol. 1968 Oct;66(4):654–657. doi: 10.1016/0002-9394(68)91285-3. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  13. Shewmake S. W., Anderson B. G. Hydrofluoric acid burns. A report of a case and review of the literature. Arch Dermatol. 1979 May;115(5):593–596. doi: 10.1001/archderm.115.5.593. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
  14. WETHERHOLD J. M., SHEPHERD F. P. TREATMENT OF HYDROFLUORIC ACID BURNS. J Occup Med. 1965 May;7:193–195. doi: 10.1097/00043764-196505000-00004. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]

Articles from Transactions of the American Ophthalmological Society are provided here courtesy of American Ophthalmological Society

RESOURCES