Eye Care | Ocular trauma

Injuries to the eye often result in significant permanent visual damage. More than 100,000 eye injuries occur annually and the majority of these accidents occur in younger people. 90% 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 in school.

Blunt trauma
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 bones, rupture of the eyeball or retinal detachment.

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

Chemicals
Chemical injuries can be devastating and commonly occur in laboratories or at home from accidental exposure to household cleaners, solvents or aerosol products.

Penetration
Penetrating injuries of the eye usually result from violent trauma such as an auto accident.

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

Treatment
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. Medications in the eye should only be used if instructed by an eye doctor. Medical attention should be sought immediately since time is of the essence to preserve vision after an eye injury.

Emergency Care
Wheaton Eye Clinic ophthalmologists are on call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to treat people suffering from eye trauma. Whether referred by an Emergency Room or Urgent Care Center or by our after-hours answering service, all of our doctors are skilled at minimizing the long term effects of eye trauma.

All Wheaton Eye Clinic ophthalmologists are qualified to handle trauma cases. Doctors who specialize in pediatric eye injuries are:

• Carolyn S. Oesterle, MD
• Michael A. Kipp, MD