General Medical Officer (GMO) Manual: Clinical Section

Ophthalmology Trauma

Department of the Navy
Bureau of Medicine and Surgery

History Flashburns Retrobulbar hematoma
Physical Examination Major injuries Ruptured globe/intraocular foreign body
Minor injuries Complex eyelid lacerations Chemical burns
Superficial lid laceration. Nonhealing corneal abrasion or embedded foreign bodies Orbital rim fracture
Corneal abrasion Hyphema Orbital floor (blowout) fracture
Superficial foreign bodies Vitreous hemorrhage MEDEVAC

Eye injuries occur in 10 percent of nonfatal casualties in military conflicts. Major injuries must be identified early and properly managed if the eye is to be salvaged.

History and Physical Examination

History

Physical Examination

Management

Minor injuries (treat locally and return to duty after follow up)

Superficial lid laceration.

Corneal abrasion

Superficial foreign bodies

Flashburns

Major injuries (MEDEVAC urgently to an ophthalmologist)

Complex eyelid lacerations

Nonhealing corneal abrasion or embedded foreign bodies (FBs)

Hyphema

Vitreous hemorrhage

Retrobulbar hematoma

Ruptured globe/intraocular foreign body (IOFB) (see discussion also in ocular emergency section).

Chemical burns (also see discussion in the ocular emergencies section).

Orbital fractures

Orbital rim fracture.

Orbital floor fracture - blowout.

MEDEVAC Considerations.

Evacuate to a facility with ophthalmology capability.

Preparation of evacuation for eye injuries

Consider topical antibiotic use if treatment delay is likely.

Recommended pharmacologic agents (first drug of choice).

Topical analgesia (initial exam and only if necessary)

Cycloplegia

Topical ophthalmic antibiotic (Use solutions, AVOID ointments.) One recommendation is Ciprofloxacin, 1 gtt OD QID.

Side effects - allergic or sensitivity reactions, possible idiosyncratic reactions. Cycloplegics are contraindicated in narrow angle glaucoma.

Summary

Contributing Authors

Andrew N. Antoszyk, MAJ, USAF, MC, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD.

Larry Eninger, MC, CAPT, USNR-R, Crescent City, CA.

David F. Klink, LT, MC, USNR, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, MD.

John Sutphin, CAPT, MC, USN-R, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA.

Revised by CDR Peter Custis, MC, USN, Ophthalmology Specialty Leader, Naval Medical Center San Diego, San Diego, CA, (1999).

 

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