[Ocular burns caused by latex from manchineel trees]

Abstract

Objective of the study: The objective of this study is to enter on an inventory and to appreciate the severity of the ocular burn caused by the latex of manchineel tree and to propose a therapeutic attitude.

Material and method: We report on the results of a prospective study included 11 patients examined in the Department of Ophthalmology (Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Fort-de-France) between November 1992 and November 1993. All of them presented with ocular burn due to a contact with the latex of the manchineel tree.

Results: The study included 11 patients, 8 adults and 3 children, the mean age was 22.9 years (range 4-40). All of them had hyperhemia and conjunctival erosions of various intensity. Ten patients had corneal lesions: superficial punctate keratitis in 5 cases and corneal ulcers in 5 cases. Three cases of corneal ulcerations were associated with an inflammatory reaction of the anterior segment. Both eyes were affected in 4 cases (37%), and only the right one in the other cases (63%). Seven patients had cutaneous lesions (63%), of whom 4 periocular burns of superficial second degree. Full recovery was obtained within 15 days for all the patients.

Conclusion: Ocular lavage is the first treatment, as for all chemical burns. Local antibiotherapy is used systematically to prevent superinfection. With a proper treatment, a complete recovery with no sequelae is obtained.