Acute chemical injuries to the eye or Stevens- Johnson syndrome can both severely affect the surface of the eye. Chemical injuries include acid burns, alkali burns or contact with any other corrosive substance. When chemical injuries occur, treatment must be given immediately or else the patient may risk permanent damage to the eye.
The treatment for chemical burns is a complex procedure and must be carried out by a skilled medical professional and in a hospital with adequate infrastructure. For instance, in the case of a chemical burn to the eye, a normal bandage made of gauze and cotton cannot be used. In these cases the surface of the eye is too delicate and has to be bandaged using a human amniotic membrane. Amniotic membranes are harvested with consent from women who have had caesarean deliveries and have been tested for HIV. The membrane is a very thin curtain like bandage and needs to be placed with high precision and accuracy. The surgery becomes highly complex because of the delicate nature of the eye and the membrane. Also the patientâs eye is usually swollen and he or she tends to bleed on touch.
Therefore, it is imperative to place the bandage as soon as possible and with great accuracy and finesse. Moreover, in the case of chemical burns and Stevens Johnson Syndrome the patient is often not in a condition to be taken to the Operation Theatre and the entire procedure has to be conducted at the bedside.
The Calcutta Medical Research Institute in collaboration with IIT Kharagpur and Aurolab, Madurai has developed a device (jocularly named the âMomo inserterâ) that will enable precise and accurate placement of the amniotic membrane in the inflamed eye. While the device has been successfully tested in vitro, patient trials are awaiting a green signal from the ethics committee and will start shortly. They are also awaiting a patent on the device.
In a country where acid attacks are still unfortunately common this device will be a great medical innovation to help victims of these attacks by providing the best medical treatment.
suggested by Dr.Bhaskar Roy Chowdhury Senior Consultant, Department of Ophthalmology at CK Birla Hospitals – CMRI
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