June 2023
Volume 64, Issue 8
Open Access
ARVO Annual Meeting Abstract  |   June 2023
Ocular Exposure to Liquid Detergent Pods in Children: a 10-year Case Series
Author Affiliations & Notes
  • Michael Gray
    Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
  • Preston Land
    Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
  • Jillian Eltzroth
    Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, United States
  • Footnotes
    Commercial Relationships   Michael Gray None; Preston Land None; Jillian Eltzroth None
  • Footnotes
    Support  None
Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Science June 2023, Vol.64, 1196. doi:
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      Michael Gray, Preston Land, Jillian Eltzroth; Ocular Exposure to Liquid Detergent Pods in Children: a 10-year Case Series. Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 2023;64(8):1196.

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      © ARVO (1962-2015); The Authors (2016-present)

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Abstract

Purpose : Liquid detergent pods continue to be a potential hazard to children since their introduction to the U.S. market in 2012. In 2014 we published a case series of 10 children with corneal injuries from exposure to pods. Here we present our experience of cases over a 10-year period.

Methods : We performed a retrospective chart review of ocular injuries in children who had been exposed to detergent pods between January 1st 2012 and October 1st 2022. We examined cases that were coded as chemical burns or injuries of the eye or cornea. Cases were included in the study if there was known exposure to a pod based on the medical record. Data analysis including mean and range was performed to evaluate the different factors of diagnosis and treatment.

Results : The study identified 64 children with mean age of 3.6 years (range 1.1 to 12 years). The largest number of cases occurred in 2019 (11) and 2021 (11). 28 cases were seen between 2012 to 2017 and 35 cases from 2018 to 2022. 61 (95.3%) children were first seen in the emergency department and of those 39 followed up in the ophthalmology clinic. 53 children (82.8%) had a corneal epithelial defect listed, of which 23 (43.4%) had a recorded size in defect in either millimeters or percentage of cornea involved. The average size was 2.9mmV by 2.8mmH. 32 patients were followed until complete epithelial defect resolution. 21 were lost to follow-up prior to noted resolution. The number of days from diagnosis to resolution of defect averaged 5 days (2-17days). All patients with defects were prescribed a topical antibiotic drop or ointment. 12 of the 53 (22.6%) were prescribed a topical steroid. 11/12 were prescribed topical prednisolone 1% while 1 was prescribed tobramycin/dexamethasone 0.3%/0.1%. Mean number of days after initial diagnosis to a steroid prescription was 2 days (0-3 days). All ocular defects were reportedly caused by name brand pods: 54 (84.4%) by Tide® PODS™, and 6 (9.4%) by Gain® flings. We cannot exclude that off-brand products were involved but identified otherwise in the medical record due to convenience or recall bias. There were no noted long-term complications found.

Conclusions : Children continue to be at-risk of ocular exposure and injuries from liquid detergent pods. A steady number of children with pod exposure were seen each year at our institution. There continues to be need for public health and policy interventions to prevent these injuries to children.

This abstract was presented at the 2023 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in New Orleans, LA, April 23-27, 2023.

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