AIM: To observe the eye complications in the cases of acute chlorine gas poisoning.

METHODS: A retrospective review of 121 cases of acute chlorine gas poising with eye irritation, dry eye and other eye complications in Linyi People's Hospital from February 2009 to February 2013 was performed.

RESULTS: Among 121 patients, 117 cases(about 96.7%)had complications of eye irritation and conjunctival and corneal epithelial damage, and the ocular surface damage was aggravated with the increasing level of chlorine gas poisoning. After 3, 6mo being discharged, 32 and 7 patients respectively occurred dry eye among 115 patients followed up. One mild chlorine poisoning patient, during the hormonotherapy of pulmonary complication, complicated with bullous retinal detachment, of which symptoms and physical signs had been improved after stopping hormonotherapy and adding drugs facilitating fluid absorption. One severe chlorine poisoning patient with loss of consciousness during the treatment, had corneal ulcer and after ulcer being healed with drug and conjunctival flap covering surgery, was left permanent leukoma cornea.

CONCLUSION: Acute chlorine poisoning can cause corneal and conjunctival epithelial damage and dry eye. Ocular complications like bullous retinal detachment associated with hormone application should be paid more attention to in the hormonotherapy. For some patients with severe poisoning, the therapy of corneal and conjunctival epitheliums should be taken seriously in case of irreparable damage in rescuing patient's life.