Ocular injuries from shake and bake methamphetamine labs.

PURPOSE: To review ocular injuries resulting from "shake and bake" methamphetamine labs.

METHOD: Retrospective case series of 4 patients with ocular injuries sustained from "shake and bake" lab explosions.

RESULTS: Four men ages 20-39 underwent complete ophthalmologic examination after an injury from a "shake and bake" methamphetamine lab explosion.The mechanism of injury was initially misrepresented in each case; the physical findings were suggestive of thermal and alkali injury. Visual acuity ranged widely from 20/20 to light perception only. Treatment in the acute setting included irrigation, pH monitoring, and intraocular pressure lowering.

CONCLUSION: Methamphetamine production by means of the"shake and bake" method can result in combined thermal and alkali ocular injury. Patients who sustain this type of injury may not accurately report the mechanism of exposure. Increased awareness of this type of ocular injury may increase the rapidity of diagnosis, avoid early misdiagnosis, and ultimately improve outcomes.