Trauma

Question 1

List three differentials for ocular trauma

Answer 1

Foreign body
Abrasions
Lacerations
Hyphaema
Penetrating trauma
Retrobulbar haemorrhage
Orbital wall fracture

Question 2

What is the treatment for cornal abrasion?

Answer 2

chloramphenicol ointment

Question 3

Which is worse, alkali or acidic chemical injury?

Answer 3

alkaline! causes liquefactive necrosis and thus can penetrate the eye to a greater extent.

Question 4

What is the immediate treatment for chemical injuries?

Answer 4

irrigation at least 2 L
evert eyelids

Question 5

What is another word for the eyeball?

Answer 5

globe!

Question 6

Why is retrobulbar haemorrhage so dangerous?

Answer 6

immediate threat to loss of sight due to raised pressure, ‘ocular compartment syndrome’

Question 7

What is the management of retrobulbar haemorrhage

Answer 7

Lateral canthotomy and cantholysis
- give this a go in A&E if ophthalmologist can’t get there within 1 hour