Non-penetrating corneal foreign body injuries: factors affecting delay in rehabilitation of patients.

A review of 783 patients with non-penetrating, superficial corneal foreign bodies (FBs), indicated that delay in rehabilitation was related to two factors: (1) the size of the abrasion following removal of the FB, larger abrasions requiring longer duration of antibiotic ointment, and (2) inadequate removal of corneal rust. Allergy to chloramphenicol 1% ointment (5.5 in 1000), commonly used in the management of corneal abrasions, is unpredictable and can also impair rapid rehabilitation.