Ocular trauma Flashcards
(17 cards)
What is a blowout fracture?
A fracture of the orbital wall (usually inferior) without orbital rim involvement, often from blunt trauma like a fist or ball
What muscle may become trapped in an inferior blowout fracture?
Inferior rectus muscle, causing diplopia
What is a subconjunctival haemorrhage, and how does it present?
Blood under the conjunctiva due to vessel rupture
= appears as a red patch and resolves on its own
What causes a globe rupture?
High-pressure blunt or penetrating trauma that breaks the sclera
What is hyphaemia, and how does it appear?
Blood in the anterior chamber of the eye - visible as a fluid level
= Requires ophthalmology referral
What is traumatic uveitis?
Inflammation of the iris due to eye trauma
Name four sight-threatening complications of ocular trauma
- Retinal detachment
- Commotio retinae
- Dislocated lens
- Tearing of intraocular structures
What is a corneal abrasion?
Loss of surface epithelium of the cornea, usually from a scratch or foreign body
How is a corneal abrasion diagnosed?
Fluorescein staining under blue light
What signs suggest a penetrating eye injury?
- Irregular pupil
- Shallow anterior chamber
- Cataract
- Inflammation
What imaging is used to identify intraocular foreign bodies?
CT scan
What is sympathetic ophthalmia?
Autoimmune inflammation of both eyes after trauma to one eye, causing potential bilateral blindness
Which causes deeper eye damage: acid or alkali burns?
Alkali – penetrates quickly and deeply, changing pH inside the eye
What is the first step in managing a chemical eye burn?
Immediate irrigation with at least 2L saline until pH normalises
What is orbital compartment syndrome?
A true ophthalmic emergency caused by increased pressure in the orbit, often from retrobulbar haemorrhage
What is the emergency management for orbital compartment syndrome?
Immediate lateral canthotomy to decompress the orbit
= before any imaging is done
What are the signs of orbital compartment syndrome?
(1) Eye pain/swelling
(2) Proptosis - eye bulging forwards out of the socket
(3) ‘rock hard’ eyelids
(4) relative afferent pupillary defect
