General Ophthalmology

Ocular Trauma

Injuries to the eye can result in significant permanent visual damage. More than 100,000 eye injuries occur annually and the majority of these accidents occur in younger people. Ninety percent of all eye injuries can be prevented with the use of proper protective eyewear and by taking prudent precautions.

Sports and recreational activities are the most common setting for eye injuries. Hazardous situations also exist at home, work or school.

Symptoms

Blunt trauma to an eye from projectile objects (such as a ball or finger) can cause a wide range of damage including corneal abrasion, bleeding in the eye, fracture of the orbital bone, rupture of the eyeball or retinal detachment.

Foreign bodies and miscellaneous debris can become lodged in the eye, especially from activities such as grinding metal or trimming tree branches.

Chemical injuries can be devastating and commonly occur in laboratories or at home from accidental exposure to chemicals, household cleaners, solvents or aerosol products. Following a chemical injury, a patient should immediately flush the affected eye(s) with water, then go immediately to a hospital emergency room where there is equipment for continued irrigation.

Penetration of the eye usually results from violent trauma such as in an altercation, from a projectile or from an auto accident.

Serious burns often are the result of the amateur use of fireworks or explosives.

Treatment Options

Whenever an eye injury occurs, certain steps must be taken in order to prevent serious damage and visual loss. If someone has been exposed to a harmful chemical, immediate irrigation of the eye with water is of utmost importance, even before a phone call to the ER is made. If a blunt or penetrating injury of the eye occurs, manipulation of the eye should be avoided since further damage could be caused. A shield (such as a makeshift one cut out from a styrofoam cup) should be placed over the eye. A pressure patch on the eye may be harmful after trauma and should be avoided.

Medical attention should be sought immediately since time is of the essence to preserve vision after an eye injury.

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