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Consequences of blunt trauma to the eye range from eyelid to orbital injury.
Eyelids:
Eyelid contusions (which result in black eyes) are more cosmetically than clinically significant, although more serious injuries may sometimes accompany them and should not be overlooked. Uncomplicated contusions are treated with ice packs to inhibit swelling during the first 24 to 48 h, followed by hot compresses to aid absorption of the hematoma.
Minor lid lacerations not involving the lid margin or tarsal plate may be repaired with nylon (or, in children, plain gut) 6-0 or 7-0 sutures. Lid-margin lacerations are best repaired by an ophthalmic surgeon to ensure accurate apposition and to avoid a notch in the contour. Major lid lacerations, which include those of the medial portion of the lower or upper eyelid (possibly involving the lacrimal canaliculus), through-and-through lacerations, those in which the patient has ptosis, and those that expose orbital fat or involve the tarsal plate, should also be repaired by an ophthalmic surgeon.
Globe:
Trauma may cause the following:
Evaluation can be difficult when massive lid edema or laceration is present. Even so, unless the need for immediate eye surgery is obvious (necessitating evaluation by an ophthalmologist as soon as possible), the lid is opened, taking care not to exert inward pressure, and as complete an examination as possible is conducted. At a minimum, the following are noted:
An analgesic or, after obtaining any surgical consent, an anxiolytic may be given to facilitate examination. Gentle and careful use of eyelid retractors or an eyelid speculum makes it possible to open the lids. If a commercial instrument is not available, the eyelids can be separated with makeshift retractors fashioned by bending the ends of paper clips 180°. Globe laceration should be suspected with any of the following:
If globe laceration is suspected, measures that can be taken before an ophthalmologist is available consist of applying a protective shield (see Eye Trauma: Treatment) and combating possible infection with systemic antimicrobials as for intraocular foreign bodies (see Eye Trauma: Intraocular foreign bodies). Topical antibiotics are avoided. Vomiting, which can increase intraocular pressure (IOP) and contribute to extravasation of ocular contents, is suppressed using antiemetics as needed. Because fungal contamination of open wounds is dangerous, corticosteroids are contraindicated until after wounds are closed surgically. Tetanus prophylaxis is indicated after open globe injuries. Very rarely, after laceration of the globe, the uninjured, contralateral eye becomes inflamed (sympathetic ophthalmia—see Uveitis and Related Disorders: Sympathetic Ophthalmia) and may lose vision to the point of blindness unless treated. The mechanism is an autoimmune reaction; corticosteroid drops can prevent the process.
Anterior chamber hemorrhage (hyphema):
This injury may be followed by recurrent bleeding, glaucoma, and blood staining of the cornea, any of which may result in permanent vision loss. Symptoms are of associated injuries unless the hyphema is large enough to obstruct vision. Direct inspection typically reveals layering of blood or the presence of clot or both in the anterior chamber. Layering is seen as a meniscus-like blood level in the lower part of the anterior chamber. Microhyphema, a less severe form, may be detectable by direct inspection as haziness in the anterior chamber or by slit-lamp examination as suspended RBCs.
An ophthalmologist should attend to the patient as soon as possible. The patient is placed on bed rest with the head elevated 30° and is given an eye shield to protect the eye from further trauma (in Eye Trauma: Corneal Abrasions and Foreign Bodies). Patients who are at high risk of recurrent bleeding (eg, those with large hyphemas, bleeding diatheses, anticoagulant use, or sickle cell disease), who have IOP that is difficult to control, or who are likely to be nonadherent to recommended treatment may be hospitalized. Oral and topical NSAIDs are contraindicated because they may contribute to recurrent bleeding.
IOP can rise acutely (within hours, usually in patients with sickle cell disease or trait) or months to years later. Thus, IOP is monitored daily for several days and then regularly over subsequent weeks and months and if symptoms develop (eg, eye ache, decreased vision, nausea—similar to symptoms of acute angle-closure glaucoma). If pressure rises, timolol 0.5% bid, brimonidine 0.2% or 0.15% bid, or both are given. Response to treatment is determined by pressure, often checked every 1 or 2 h until controlled or until a significant rate of reduction is demonstrated; thereafter, it is usually checked once or twice daily. Mydriatic drops (eg, scopolamine 0.25% tid or atropine 1% tid for 5 days) and topical corticosteroids (eg, prednisolone acetate 1% 4 to 8 times/day for 2 to 3 wk are often given. Administration of aminocaproic acid 50 to 100 mg/kg po q 4 h (not exceeding 30 g/day) for 5 days may reduce recurrent bleeding. In these cases, miotic or mydriatic drugs must be given by an ophthalmologist. Rarely, recurrent bleeding with secondary glaucoma requires surgical evacuation of the blood.
Blowout fracture:
Blowout fracture occurs when blunt trauma forces the orbital contents through the most fragile portion of the orbital wall, typically the floor. Medial and roof fractures also can occur. Symptoms include diplopia, enophthalmos, inferiorly displaced globe, hypesthesia of the cheek and upper lip (from infraorbital nerve injury), and subcutaneous emphysema. Epistaxis, lid edema, and ecchymosis may occur. Diagnosis is best made using CT. If diplopia or cosmetically unacceptable enophthalmos persists beyond 2 wk, surgical repair is indicated. Patients should be told to avoid blowing the nose. Using a topical vasoconstrictor for 2 to 3 days may alleviate epistaxis.
Posttraumatic Iridocyclitis
(Traumatic Anterior Uveitis; Traumatic Iritis)
Posttraumatic iridocyclitis is an inflammatory reaction of the uvea and iris, typically developing within 3 days of blunt eye trauma.
Symptoms of posttraumatic iridocyclitis include tearing, throbbing ache and redness of the eye, photophobia, and blurred vision. Diagnosis is by history, symptoms, and slit-lamp examination, which typically reveals flare (due to an increase in protein content of the aqueous humor from the inflammatory exudate) and WBCs in the anterior chamber. Treatment involves a cycloplegic (usually scopolamine 0.25% tid, or homatropine 5% tid). Topical corticosteroids (eg, prednisolone acetate 1% 4 to 8 times/day) are often used to shorten symptom duration.
Last full review/revision March 2007 by Kathryn Colby, MD, PhD
Content last modified August 2010
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