Watch those sanitiser squirts! Reports of hand sanitiser in the eye up 7 fold

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2021-01-22 10:00

International

French researchers report a 7 fold increase in eye exposures to alcohol-based hand sanitisers in 2020 compared to 2019,
with one hospital reporting 13 per cent of patients required surgery for severe lesions. The authors warn about the positioning of the dispensers in public places, saying they should be kept away from young children. They also suggest adding informative illustrations to make people aware of the dangers of unintentional eye exposure.

Media release

From: JAMA

Pediatric Eye Injuries, Hand Sanitizer During COVID-19 Pandemic

JAMA Ophthalmology
Brief Report

Pediatric Eye Injuries by Hydroalcoholic Gel in the Context of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic

What The Study Did: An increase in pediatric cases of alcohol-based hand sanitizer eye exposure was assessed in this study, which also described the severity of ocular lesions and their management.

Authors: Gilles C. Martin, M.D., M.Sc., of theRothschild Foundation Hospital in Paris, is the corresponding author.

(doi:10.1001/jamaophthalmol.2020.6346)

Editor’s Note: The article includes conflict of interest disclosures. Please see the article for additional information, including other authors, author contributions and affiliations, conflict of interest and financial disclosures, and funding and support.

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Research JAMA, Web page Please link to the article in online versions of your report

Journal/
conference: JAMA Ophthalmology

Research:Paper

Organisation/s: Rothschild Foundation Hospital, France

Funder: Dr Hasle reported personal fees from Cornouaille Hospital Medical practitioner outside the submitted work. Dr Morin reported personal fees from CHU Angers Practitioner outside the submitted work. Dr Descatha reported personal fees from University Angers Professor in Medecine, CHU Angers, and Elsevier and grants from Pays de la Loire Region– ALM TEC-TOP project outside the submitted work. No other disclosures were reported.

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