Penetrating eye injuries

Penetrating eye injuries

These occur when the globe is penetrated, often in road tra ffi c and other major accidents ( Figure 49.23 ) and also in injuries from sharp instruments. The compulsory wearing of seat belts in motor vehicles has substantially reduced the incidence of this type of eye injury , by up to 73% in the UK. The pres - ence of an irregular pupil suggests prolapse of the iris and should arouse suspicion of a penetrating injury . Treatment is prompt primary repair to restore the integrity of the g lobe. not be attempted before anaesthesia because this may lead to further extrusion of the intraocular contents. If the fundal view is poor, ultrasonography and orbital imaging are indi - cated. Secondary corneal grafting, lensectomy and vitrectomy have considerably improved the visual prognosis; these must be done by an experienced eye surgeon. Injuries to the optic nerves must also be excluded in se vere accidents.

Figure 49.21 Retinal haemorrhage from a cricket bat injury (courtesy of J Beare, FRCS). Figure 49.22 Retinal dialysis after blunt ocular injury. Figure 49.23 Facial lacerations from a windscreen injury. Beware of a perforating eye injury.

Penetrating eye injuries

These occur when the globe is penetrated, often in road tra ffi c and other major accidents ( Figure 49.23 ) and also in injuries from sharp instruments. The compulsory wearing of seat belts in motor vehicles has substantially reduced the incidence of this type of eye injury , by up to 73% in the UK. The pres - ence of an irregular pupil suggests prolapse of the iris and should arouse suspicion of a penetrating injury . Treatment is prompt primary repair to restore the integrity of the g lobe. not be attempted before anaesthesia because this may lead to further extrusion of the intraocular contents. If the fundal view is poor, ultrasonography and orbital imaging are indi - cated. Secondary corneal grafting, lensectomy and vitrectomy have considerably improved the visual prognosis; these must be done by an experienced eye surgeon. Injuries to the optic nerves must also be excluded in se vere accidents.

Figure 49.21 Retinal haemorrhage from a cricket bat injury (courtesy of J Beare, FRCS). Figure 49.22 Retinal dialysis after blunt ocular injury. Figure 49.23 Facial lacerations from a windscreen injury. Beware of a perforating eye injury.

Penetrating eye injuries

These occur when the globe is penetrated, often in road tra ffi c and other major accidents ( Figure 49.23 ) and also in injuries from sharp instruments. The compulsory wearing of seat belts in motor vehicles has substantially reduced the incidence of this type of eye injury , by up to 73% in the UK. The pres - ence of an irregular pupil suggests prolapse of the iris and should arouse suspicion of a penetrating injury . Treatment is prompt primary repair to restore the integrity of the g lobe. not be attempted before anaesthesia because this may lead to further extrusion of the intraocular contents. If the fundal view is poor, ultrasonography and orbital imaging are indi - cated. Secondary corneal grafting, lensectomy and vitrectomy have considerably improved the visual prognosis; these must be done by an experienced eye surgeon. Injuries to the optic nerves must also be excluded in se vere accidents.

Figure 49.21 Retinal haemorrhage from a cricket bat injury (courtesy of J Beare, FRCS). Figure 49.22 Retinal dialysis after blunt ocular injury. Figure 49.23 Facial lacerations from a windscreen injury. Beware of a perforating eye injury.