We report a chemical injury resulting from J-Foam, a soft, flexible substance rarely encountered in ophthalmology. Its main application is in the casting of film or theatre props. Our patient worked as a model maker at a local film studio and at the time of the injury was working on a model mask of Oliver Cromwell.

A 33 year-old woman was referred to the eye clinic from the accident and emergency department following the unexpected explosion of a model mask made from J-Foam. The patient was in significant discomfort with excoriation and erythema of the facial skin. The eyelids were fused by the J-Foam adhering to the eyelashes, in a manner similar to cyanoacrylate injuries. The eyelashes were trimmed in order to remove the substance from the periocular area.

The ocular examination revealed a significant keratoconjunctivitis with areas of corneal abrasion. Pieces of hardened J-Foam were peeled away from the conjunctiva. The patient was treated with Chloramphenicol ointment and made a full recovery

J-Foam 162 is a polyurethane substance, which reacts at room temperature to produce a soft flexible foam. Ingress of moisture into J-Foam can lead to pressure build up and subsequent explosion, as happened in the case described here. The management was similar to the treatment of cyanoacrylate injuries.