Corneal Ulcers Due To Attempt Of Foreign Body Removal With The Use Of Tongue In Lower Socio-Economic Class Of Patients
Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: POCOR211 | Type: Free paper | DOI: 10.82333/g1et-vb12
Authors: Dr BHAVYA Bipin GOKANI* 1 , Dr SAKSHI MISHRA 2
1PHACO-REFRACTIVE SURGERY,ASG BAVISHI EYE HOSPITAL,AHMEDABAD,India, 2CORNEA,SHETH C.H NAGRI EYE HOSPITAL,AHMEDABAD,India
Purpose
TO DIAGNOSE INFECTIONS CAUSED DUE TO A BARBARIC METHOD OF FOREIGN BODY REMOVAL PRACTISED IN LOWER SOCIO-ECONOMIC CLASSES BY USING TONGUE TO CLEAN THE EYES.
Setting
IN LOWER SOCIO-ECONOMIC CLASSES IN A FEW STATES OF INDIA , THERE IS A PRACTISE OF FOREIGN BODY REMOVAL BY QUACKS IN WHICH THEY USE THE TONGUE TO REMOVE THE FOREIGN BODIES. THIS BECOMES A CAUSE OF MAXIMUM CORNEAL INFECTIONS AND CORNEAL ULCERS. THIS PAPER IS AN ATTEMPT TO THROW SOME LIGHT ON THE SAME.
Methods
10 PATIENTS WITH CORNEAL ULCERS CAUSED AFTER VISITING QUACKS FOR REMOVAL OF FOREIGN BODY WITH THE TONGUE WERE STUDIED. THE ETIOLOGY OF THE ULCER INVOLVED PRESENCE OF MIXED BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL CORNEAL ULCERS. DURING TREATMENT OF THESE ULCERS, PATIENT EDUCATION AND RELATIVES EDUCATION WAS DONE TO PREVENT THIS FROM FURTHER OCCURING.
Results
MOST OF THESE PATIENTS DEVELOPED MIXED BACTERIAL AND FUNGAL ULCERS. THEY TOOK ALMOST 6 TO 8 WEEKS TO CURE. 3 OF THEM HAD TO UNDERGO THERAPEUTIC PENETRATING KERATOPLASTY.
Conclusions
USAGE OF TONGUE TO CLEAN CORNEAL FOREIGN BODIES IS A BARBARIC PRACTICE USED BY QUACKS IN A FEW STATES WITH LOWER SOCIO ECONOMIC CLASSES IN INIDA. OPTIMUM PATIENT EDUCATION IS NECESSARY TO ABOLISH THIS PRACTICE.