Chemical burn assaults: Is the media coverage representative?

An update on chemical eye burns

“…Many workrelated eye injuries occur in those not wearing protective eyewear at the time, and such protective eyewear reduces the odds of eye injury [3,111]. A recent increase in crimerelated chemical injuries in the UK [16] further emphasises the importance of public education in first-aid management of such chemical burns. There have been widespread media campaigns to educate the public about early irrigation, however, more is required to protect people in the workplace [16].…”

“…A recent increase in crimerelated chemical injuries in the UK [16] further emphasises the importance of public education in first-aid management of such chemical burns. There have been widespread media campaigns to educate the public about early irrigation, however, more is required to protect people in the workplace [16]. Current legislation, overseen by the Health and Safety Executive, does not compel employers to provide additional training and first-aid equipment where there is a higher risk of contact with chemicals [114].…”

“…In the United Kingdom (UK), an alarming increase in assault-related chemical burns was reported as early as 1980s [10,14,15]. Over the last few years, an increase in chemical-burn assaults has also been suggested [16]. In terms of eye injuries, the British Ophthalmological Surveillance Unit found that assault accounted for 33.3% of severe chemical ocular injuries occurring between Dec 2005 and Nov 2006 [11].…”

Assault-related severe ocular chemical injury at a London ophthalmic referral hospital: a 3-year retrospective observational study

“…13 However, a retrospective study from a leading national burns centre in London questions whether this increase that is being reported in the national press is translating into a similar increase in chemical burn presentations. 15 The aim of this study was to investigate the number and causes of SOCI presentations per year over a 3-year period at Moorfields Eye Hospital, a central London tertiary referral eye hospital with a 24-hour ophthalmic emergency department. In addition, this study aimed to describe the demographics, responsible agent, clinical presentation and management of SOCI cases.…”

“… 13 However, a retrospective study from a leading national burns centre in London questions whether this increase that is being reported in the national press is translating into a similar increase in chemical burn presentations. 15 …”