Penetrating eye injury caused by eyelash curlers--a cause for concern?

Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2010 Mar;248(3):301-3. doi: 10.1007/s00417-009-1073-y. Epub 2009 Mar 28.

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of open globe injury caused by eyelash curlers.

Methods: Interventional case report.

Results: A 19-year-old female presented with a history of accidentally poking herself in the left eye when her eyelash curlers broke suddenly. Initial assessment revealed a laceration in the infero-nasal cornea of the left eye. The patient was also noted to have developed a traumatic cataract. Surgical exploration of the penetrating eye injury also revealed damage to the posterior capsule of the lens. Lensectomy, anterior vitrectomy, and implantation of an intraocular lens were performed. The first day after the operation, the patient's visual acuity in the left eye improved to 20/30 unaided. At 3-months follow-up, the sutures were removed and visual acuity remains at 20/30 unaided.

Conclusion: Our case represents an unusual cause of serious ocular injury in a domestic setting wherein appropriate and timely intervention resulted in a good clinical outcome.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cataract / etiology*
  • Cataract Extraction
  • Corneal Injuries*
  • Cosmetic Techniques / adverse effects*
  • Cosmetic Techniques / instrumentation
  • Eye Injuries, Penetrating / etiology*
  • Eye Injuries, Penetrating / surgery
  • Eyelashes*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Lens Implantation, Intraocular
  • Lens, Crystalline / injuries*
  • Visual Acuity / physiology
  • Vitrectomy
  • Young Adult