Eye Injuries

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Anatomy of the Eye:

Parts of the Eye:

Conjunctiva:Thin membrane covering the eye

Sclera:The whites of the eye

Cornea:The fixed focus lens

Aqueous Lens:The fluid that fills a small chamber behind the cornea

The Iris:The coloured part of the eye

The Pupil:The hole inside the iris ring

Parts of the Eye:

The Vitreous Humour:

Thick jelly like fluid that fills the eyeball and keeps it firm

Retina:

The curved back layer of the eye covered in light sensitive cells ( roots & cones) that can see shapes, colours & patterns

Optic Nerve:

Sends info from the retina to the brain.

History:

Casualty Sheet:

Mechanism of injury – How did it happen, safety glasses, time frame, welding?

Were they wearing contacts?

Was it a projectile object?

Was force involved?

Was the pt working with metal or in an environment where there may be metal debris?

Eye Injuries:

o Flying Particles

o Foreign Bodies

o Welding flashes

o Chemicals

o Sharp tools or objects

o Blunt tools or objects

Foreign Body:

Depending on what it is and how the injury happened, a FB may pierce the eye and cause serious injury or may simply go away with nil long term problems.

Symptoms Include: o Sharp pain in your eye – followed by burning, irritation tearing and rednesso Feeling that something is moving around the eye when it is closedo Scratching sensation over your eye when blinkingo Blurred vision or loss of vision in the affected eyeo Bleeding into the white part of the eye OR the coloured area – this indicates a

significant injury.o Can’t stand the light

Foreign Body Eye:

Examine the eye:

Ask the pt where they feel the irritation or scratching is?

Irrigate with normal saline

Invert the upper eyelid with cotton bud - How?

If visible with the naked eye –can remove with wet cotton bud-gently swipe.

Foreign Body:

o Rubbing may scratch or push the FB in further (Corneal abrasion)

o Eye wash in some cases may be enough

o FB will often hide behind the upper eyelid

o Will scratch if not removed

Foreign Body:

Rust Ring to Eye:

o URGENT : Vision can be effected

o Note with metal rings can occur if not removed

Treatment:

Eye wash

Look at the pupil – are they equal

Always ask pt if improvement post eye wash

Always ask the pt to return 2 hours post wash - either to you or Medical centre

A FB Especially metal can cause blindness if not treated (rust rings start within 3 hours)

Corneal Abrasions have good outcome (Heal in 48hrs) if treated early with AB eye ointment

Treatment:

Treatment:

Despite irrigating the eye. There may be FB that cannot be seen with the naked eye and needs to be examined closer – contact the OHN

OHN -If needed during working Hours an Ophthalmologist App can be organised.

Chemical Burns:

Wash immediately with copious amounts of water

Get MSDS

Treatment essential OHN

Usually treated 2-3L N/Saline.

Sent off for further treatment

Lead to infection, scarring, loss of sight

Penetrating Eye Injuries:

o Sharp or blunt injuries

o Medical Emergency

o Potentially cause blindness

o Preventable

Conjunctivitis:

o Infection Eye

o General Health Issue

o Watery

o Redness

o Itchy

o Irritation

Lime Burns:

Flash Burns:

o Welding without safety shield or standing close to someone welding

o Usually occurs 6-12 hours after event

o Inflammation of the cornea (the clear tissue that covers the front of the eye)

o Like sunburn in the eye

o Usually heals in 1 – 2 days without leaving a scar

o If not treated can lead to infection

Symptoms:

o Pain mild or severe

o Bloodshot eyes

o Light sensitivity

o Watery eyes

o Blurred vision

o The feeling of having something in your eye

Treatment:

Examination of the eye – stain eye

Phenylepherine drops ( FB must be excluded prior to use)

May require panadiene forte

Antibiotics

Review by ophthalmologist

If you have any questions, If you have any questions, please ask your supervisorplease ask your supervisor