Eye traumas are considered ophthalmologic emergencies, which is why any trauma that doesn't necessarily involve only the eye but also neighboring structures (eyelids, orbital bone, etc.) must be urgently evaluated.
What Can Cause Eye Trauma?
Depending on the causative agent, traumas can be contusive (ball, fist, etc.), with blunt objects, sharp objects, or with chemical agents.
What Part of the Eye Can Be Affected by Trauma?
Traumas can be:
- of the eyelids;
- of various structures of the eyeball;
- injuries with chemical substances;
- orbital fractures.
Trauma can affect any ocular structure, which is why the ophthalmologic examination must be done thoroughly and at the same time in a very short time, to prevent potential complications.
What Signs and Symptoms May Appear?
These can vary in case of trauma depending on the affected parts and the severity of the injuries. The following may be present: pain, foggy vision with slight decrease in visual acuity up to severe decrease in visual acuity, tearing, bleeding, inability to move the eyeball, enophthalmos (eye pushed into the orbit), exophthalmos (protruding eye). Palpebral ecchymosis, palpebral edema, palpebral laceration, subconjunctival hemorrhage, corneal erosion, perforation of the eyeball, hemorrhage inside the eyeball, retinal detachment, inflammation, infection leading to loss of the eyeball may appear.
Important to Know!
Intraocular Foreign Body
In case of an intraocular foreign body, the patient should not attempt to remove it, but should apply a sterile dressing to isolate the injury and then urgently present to the ophthalmologist.
Chemical Substance Injury
In case of injury with a chemical substance, the patient should rinse the eyes abundantly (with water only!) for approximately half an hour of continuous washing, after which they should urgently present to the hospital.
Orbital Fracture
In case of an orbital fracture, it is advisable, in addition to the ocular inspection performed by the ophthalmologist, to also perform a brain CT scan to better evaluate the extent of the injuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do not try to remove it yourself! Apply a sterile dressing to isolate the injury and urgently present to an ophthalmologist.
Rinse the eyes abundantly with water only, approximately half an hour of continuous washing, then urgently present to the hospital.
