INJURY TO THE CORNEA DUE TO FISH BILE

A retrospective study of 207 patients with chemical eye injuries in no rthern Norway revealed that fish bile was the causal agent in 14%. Fis h bile caused superficial corneal erosions in 28 of 29 cases. All but one of the patients were professional fishermen or fish industry worke rs. In one case delayed medical care led to serious corneal opacity. P rovided that there was immediate and abundant rinsing of the affected eye and good medical care, the prognosis of fish bile injuries was fai rly good. The mechanisms for corneal damage due to fish bile are not c lear.