Ocular Penetrating and Perforating Injuries
From EyeWiki
Article summary goes here.
Contents |
Disease Entity
Add text here
Disease
Ocular penetrating and perforating injuries can result in severe vision loss. Penetrating injuries by definition penetrate through the eyewall without an exit wound. Perforating injuries have both entrance and exit wounds. Most individuals sustaining eye injuries are male with an estimated 5.5 times greater risk than women.1
Etiology
Penetrating or perforating ocular injuries can be due to injury from any sharp or high velocity objects. The home is the most frequent location for injuries. The most common blunt objects reported by May et al from the United States Eye injury Registry were rocks, fists, baseballs, lumber and fishing weights. The most common sharp objects were sticks, knives, scissors, screwdrivers and nails.
Risk Factors
As noted from epidemiological studies above, male gender is a large risk factor for ocular trauma. Failure to wear adequate eye protection while performing high risk activities such as baseball, basketball and use of power tools in the home environment have also been noted to be risk factors for eye injuries. 1,2,3 Substance abuse including alcohol and marijuana is also known to increase the risk of eye trauma.3
General Pathology
Add text here
Pathophysiology
Add text here
Primary prevention
Appropriate and adequate eye protection when performing visually threatening activities is the most effective method to prevent ocular trauma. The American Academy of Ophthalmology Eye injury Snapshot is a yearly survey designed to collect data and educate the public about the causes and prevention of eye injuries. Through educational programs such as this, potential eye injuries may be prevented.2
Diagnosis
Add text here
History
It is important to obtain a thorough history from the patient to help identify the timing of the injury and mechanism. Any injuries other than the eye should be ascertained. Questions such as what was the patient doing during the injury and what potential objects could have caused the injury are important prior to physical evaluation.
A pertinent medical history including current medications, allergies, tetanus status, timing of last meal and any ocular history can help with diagnosis and management.
Physical examination
Ophthalmic examination after severe trauma can be difficult. Obtaining a visual acuity and pupillary examination may be the most important elements to ascertain.4 Obvious trauma requires careful handling of the eye with care taken to prevent any pressure on the globe if an open globe is suspected.
Once an extraocular muscles and external examination is complete, a thorough conjunctival and anterior segment examination must be completed if penetrating or perforating injury is suspected.
Signs
Subconjunctival hemorrhage, shallow or flat anterior chamber, hyphema, iris deformities, lens disruption, or posterior segment findings such as vitreous hemorrhage, retinal tears, retinal hemorrhage are concerning when seen in a patient with suspected trauma.
Symptoms
Patients with penetrating or perforating injuries usually complain of pain or double vision. In more subtle injuries, there may be minor symptoms such as foreign body sensation or blurred vision.
Clinical diagnosis
Add text here
Diagnostic procedures
When direct visualization is not possible, gentle ultrasound and computed tomography should be used to evaluate the globe. Magnetic resonance imaging is contraindicated in any case where a metal object is thought to be involved.
Laboratory test
Add text here
Differential diagnosis
Add text here
Management
Add text here
General treatment
Penetrating or perforating injuries should be evaluated and treated immediately. Depending on the material causing the injury and location of entry, severe vision loss can occur.
Medical therapy
If surgical exploration is planned, a fox shield, antiemetics, intravenous antibiotics, and update of tetanus status should be completed.
Medical follow up
Add text here
Surgery
Globe exploration should be performed in suspected penetrating trauma with possible vitrectomy if vitreous hemorrhage, intraocular foreign body or retinal detachment is present.4
Surgical follow up
Add text here
Complications
Add text here
Prognosis
Add text here
Additional Resources
Add text here
References
1. May DR, Kuhn FP et al. The epidemiology of serious eye injuries from the United States Eye Injury Registry. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2000; 238: 153-7.
2. American Academy of Ophthalmology, The 6th Annual Eye Injury Snapshot Project.
3. Wong T, Klein B, Klein R. The Prevalence and 5-year incidence of Ocular Trauma-The Beaver Dam Eye Study. Ophthalmology. 2000; 107: 2196-2202.
4. Mittra RA, Mieler WF. Controversies in the Management of Open-Globe Injuries Involving the Posterior Segment. Survey of Ophthalmology. 1999; 44: 215-225.
