Corneal alkali burns arising from accidental instillation of a hair straightener.

A patient sustained mild bilateral alkali burns of the cornea following ocular exposure to a commercial hair straightening preparation. This compound and three other products all had an alkaline pH which was not reduced to neutrality by the neutralizer provided. Corneal alkali burns similar to those seen in our patient were produced in experimental animals after brief exposure. Histologic changes were primarily limited to the cornea. The warning against ocular exposure printed on the containers or package insert is not sufficiently emphatic to protect the consumer.