Thermal ocular burns and evaluation of associated limbal stem cell deficiency in the light of global consensus.

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the present study is to examine the demographic data and clinical features of ocular surface injuries due to thermal burns and to evaluate LSCD in the light of global consensus.

Methods: Thirty-three eyes of 20 cases with ocular surface injury due to thermal burn who attended to the clinic between 2012 and 2023 were included in the study. LSCD severity was staged according to the global consensus which was published in 2019.

Results: The mean age of 20 cases was 45.8 ± 13.362 (19-78) and female/male ratio was 4/16. The causes of thermal burns were exposure to fire in 10 (50%), molten metal in 5 (25%), pressure cooker explosion in 3 (15%), and hot water in 2 (10%) cases. The number of cases who recovered without sequelae was 15. The observed sequelaes were LSCD (21.2%), symblepharon (6.06%), and corneal opacity (9.09%). Considering the distribution of LSCD, 28.57% of the eyes were Stage Ia, 14.28% were Stage Ib, 28.57% were Stage IIb, 28.57% were Stage III. The symblepharon was Stage IIa in 2 patients. Surgery was performed in 4 patients with sequelae (penetrating keratoplasty in 1, corneal debridement in 1, limbal autograft in 1, amniotic membrane transplantation + symblepharon excision + limbal autograft in 1 eyes).

Conclusion: Most of the thermal injuries heal without sequelae. If a sequela takes place, the most common one is severe LSCD-half of which are severe.