Ocular Burns in Children

• 27 Jul 2023

Source: TH

Why in News?

A new study sheds light on the major role played by "chuna" or slaked lime in causing ocular burns among children in the Indian subcontinent.

• Most individuals with acute ocular burns were male, constituting over 80% among adults and over 60% among children.

What is Slaked Lime?

• About:
  • Slaked lime (Ca (OH)₂), is obtained by mixing quicklime (calcium oxide) with water, resulting in a chemical reaction that produces calcium hydroxide.
  • The process of slaking quicklime with water is highly exothermic, generating a significant amount of heat.
    • It has a high pH value, making it highly alkaline and caustic.

Note:

• Alkali is the Base that dissolved in water. Base refers to a type of chemical substance that has a high pH value, typically above 7 on the pH scale.
  • Alkalis are also known as bases and are characterized by their ability to neutralize acids, producing salts and water in the process.
  • Common examples of alkalis include sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH).
• Acid is a type of chemical substance that has a low pH value, usually below 7 on the pH scale. Acids are characterized by their ability to release hydrogen ions (H+) in a solution. They can react with metals, carbonates, and bases to form salts and water.
  • Common examples of acids include hydrochloric acid (HCl) and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄).

• Application:
  • Slaked lime has been used for various applications throughout history, including in construction and agriculture.
  • It is traditionally used as a chuna (a binding agent) in the preparation of paan, a popular traditional chewable mixture in South and Southeast Asia.
• Issue:
  • Loose and poorly sealed packets of chuna are posing a risk of ocular burns. An exploding packet of chuna can cause alkali to encounter a person's eyes, resulting in chemical burns to the ocular surface and potentially causing severe damage.
  • Chemical burns to the corneal limbus, the specialized stem cell-rich area of the cornea, can impair its ability to repair itself, leading to long-term vision issues.
• Children At Risk:
  • Alkalis accounted for 38% of all ocular burns, with chuna being the most common alkali agent, responsible for 32% of all alkali burns among children due to their close contact with chuna in households and in fireworks.

Note: Ocular burns refer to injuries caused by exposure of the eye to harmful chemicals, intense heat, or radiation, resulting in damage to the eye's surface or internal structures.

Ocular burns can be caused by various substances, such as acids, alkalis, solvents, or even exposure to high-energy sources like welding arcs or lasers.