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Overview of Eye Trauma

By

Ann P. Murchison

, MD, MPH, Wills Eye Hospital

Reviewed/Revised May 2022 | Modified Sep 2022
View PATIENT EDUCATION

Common causes of eye injury include domestic or industrial accidents (eg, during hammering or exposure to chemicals or cleaners), assault, sporting injuries (including air- or paint pellet-gun injuries), and motor vehicle crashes (including airbag injuries). Injury may be to the eyeball (globe), surrounding soft tissues (including muscles, nerves, and tendons), and/or bones of the orbit.

General evaluation should include the following:

  • Tests of visual acuity

  • Range of extraocular motion

  • Visual fields to confrontation

  • Pupillary appearance and responses

  • Location and depth of lid and conjunctival lacerations and of foreign bodies

  • Depth of anterior chamber

  • Presence of anterior chamber or vitreous hemorrhage, cataract, or red reflex

  • Retinal examination

  • Intraocular pressure determination

Detailed examination of the sclera, anterior segment (cornea, conjunctiva, anterior chamber, ciliary body, iris), lens, and anterior vitreous is best done with a slit lamp (see Slit-lamp examination Slit-lamp examination The eye can be examined with routine equipment, including a standard ophthalmoscope; thorough examination requires special equipment and evaluation by an ophthalmologist. History includes location... read more ). Although direct ophthalmoscopy can be used to examine the lens and posterior structures of the eye, indirect ophthalmoscopy, usually done by an ophthalmologist, provides a more detailed and binocular view of these structures. Indications for indirect ophthalmoscopy include clinical suspicion of vitreous abnormalities (eg, hemorrhage, foreign body) and retinal abnormalities; clinical suspicion may be based on symptoms, injury mechanism, absence of the red reflex, or retinal abnormalities visible with direct ophthalmoscopy.

Because direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy are best done through a dilated pupil, about 15 to 30 minutes before this examination, mydriatics (such as one drop of cyclopentolate 1% and one drop of phenylephrine 2.5%, for adults) can be instilled when there is no contraindication to a dilated eye examination (eg, shallow anterior chamber, allergy, ruptured globe) and with caution in pregnancy. If an intraocular or orbital foreign body or an orbital fracture is suspected, CT is done.

Use of eye guards, goggles, or special eyeglasses, such as those constructed of polycarbonate lenses in a wrap-around polyamide frame, is a simple precaution that greatly reduces the risk of injury.

When eye drops are prescribed, each dose includes only one drop.

Drugs Mentioned In This Article

Drug Name Select Trade
AK-Pentolate , Cyclogyl, Cylate, Ocu-Pentolate
4-Way Nasal, Ah-Chew D, AK-Dilate, Anu-Med, Biorphen, Formulation R , Foster & Thrive Nasal Decongestion, Gilchew IR, Hemorrhoidal , IMMPHENTIV, Little Remedies for Noses, Lusonal, Mydfrin, Nasop, Nasop 12, Neofrin, Neo-Synephr, Neo-Synephrine, Neo-Synephrine Cold + Allergy, Neo-Synephrine Extra Strength, Neo-Synephrine Mild, Neo-Synephrine Non-Drowsy Cold + Allergy, Ocu-Phrin, PediaCare Children's Decongestant, PediaCare Decongestant, PediaCare Infants' Decongestant, Sinex Nasal, Sudafed PE, Sudafed PE Children's Nasal Decongestant , Sudafed PE Congestion, Sudafed PE Sinus Congestion, Sudogest PE, Vazculep
View PATIENT EDUCATION
NOTE: This is the Professional Version. CONSUMERS: View Consumer Version
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