Author(s)

Kadiatou Ba^1*, Moro Sidibe², Bakary Danfaga³, Sadio Cissoko³, Aichata Tall¹, Oumar Diallo⁴, Assiatou Simaga¹, Nouhoum Guirou¹, Abdoulaye Napo¹, Adama Dembele², Abdoulaye Nouhoum Coulibaly⁴, Aoua Ibrahima Toure¹, Mamadou Adama Togo⁴, Chiaka Sanogo³, Seydou Bakayoko¹, Fatoumata Sylla¹, Lamine Traore¹, Sanoussi Bamani¹

¹Institute of Tropical Ophthalmology of Africa (IOTA), Bamako, Mali.
²Regional Hospital of Sikasso, Mali/Alliance for the Development of Community Ophthalmology (ADOC), Bamako, Mali.
³Kati Reference Health Center, Koulikoro, Mali.
⁴Alliance for the Development of Community Ophthalmology (ADOC), Bamako, Mali.

Introduction: Corneal opacities in children are relatively common. In children, it is urgent because of the risk of irreversible amblyopia. The causes of these blindnesses vary considerably according to the regions of the world. Chlorhexidine digluconate is a broad-spectrum antiseptic directed against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. It has been used as an antiseptic for more than 50 years, both in humans and in animals. However, despite these benefits, it can cause serious damage if applied to the eyes. Incidents of eye damage with 7.1% chlorhexidine have been reported to WHO across Africa. Observation: We report and write two cases of bilateral corneal blindness caused by accidental ocular use of chlorhexidine (HEXZ) GEL 7.1% in two newborns in the health district of Kati in MALI. The ophthalmological examination had revealed corneal opacity, conjunctival hyperaemia and limbic ischemia greater than 50% in 1 eye out of 4, corresponding to stage IV of the ROPPER HALL classification; 2 eyes out of 4 were at stage III and 1 eye out of 4 was at stage I of the same classification. Conclusion: It is essential to ensure correct use of chlorhexidine digluconate gel 7%. It is an antiseptic which should not be used on the ocular and auditory mucous membranes, at the risk of most often permanent burns.

Chlorhexidine, Opacity, Cornea, Kati

Ba, K. , Sidibe, M. , Danfaga, B. , Cissoko, S. , Tall, A. , Diallo, O. , Simaga, A. , Guirou, N. , Napo, A. , Dembele, A. , Coulibaly, A. , Toure, A. , Togo, M. , Sanogo, C. , Bakayoko, S. , Sylla, F. , Traore, L. and Bamani, S. (2023) Corneal Blindness Caused by Accidental Ocular Use of Chlorhexidine (Hexz) Gel in Two Newborn Born in the Health District of Kati in Mali. Open Journal of Ophthalmology, 13, 83-90. doi: 10.4236/ojoph.2023.131009.