Transcript document
Ocular Emergencies
OCULAR EMERGENCIES
Medical
Conjunctivitis
Iritis
Periorbital Cellulitis
Glaucoma
Central Retinal Artery
Occlusion
Surgical
Corneal Abrasion
Extraocular Foreign
Bodies
Retinal Detachment
Orbital Fracture
Chemical Burns
Hyphema
Eyelid Laceration
Globe Rupture
Assessment
History / MOI
Time of occurrence
Treatment before arrival
Abnormal eye appearance
Visual acuity
Snellen’s
Visual Fields
Finger count
Assessment
Tearing
Itching
Discharge
Medical History
Ocular
Systemic
Medication
Always use contralateral eye for comparison
Assessment
Spasms of eyelid
Lesions, FB, Penetrating wounds
Pupils
EOM
Position and alignment of eye
Assessment
Conjunctiva and sclera for color and inflammation
Edema of lids, conjunctive, and/or cornea
Blood
Opaque, gray-white area of cornea
Hazy cornea
Assessment
Palpation
Intraocular
pressure: Do not do if there is
concern regarding globe
Things To Think About When Assessing
Younger males are at higher risk for serious
injury
School-age children are more susceptible to
conjunctivitis
Contact wearers are at greater risk for corneal
abrasions and infection
Exposure to arc welding S/S develop 4-8 post
exposure
Things To Think About When Assessing
Auto mechanics and service station attendants have
potential for acid burns to face
Injuries occurring in the garden have increased
potential for infection
Ball sports increase potential for eye injury
Diagnostics
Direct ophthalmoscope
Tonometry
Fluorescein staining
Slit-lamp exam
Laboratory
Cultures
CBC
Coags
Diagnostics
Radiology
CT
scan
Soft tissue/orbit films for foreign body
Facial bones
Skull films
Priorities
ABCs
Prevent further damage
Prevent or minimize complications
Control pain
Relieve anxiety or apprehension
Education
Consultation Criteria
Penetrating ocular
Central retinal
trauma
Chemical burns of
the eye
Severe lid
laceration
Glaucoma
artery occlusion
Retinal detachment
Orbital fracture
Hyphema
Periorbital cellulitis
Age-related Pearls
Pediatric
Delayed presentation due to children not noticing gradual
vision loss
May need picture chart
Infants and small children may need to be restrained in
blanket to facilitate exam
Age-related Pearls
Geriatric
Vision diminishes gradually until 70 y/o and then rapidly
thereafter
Decreased near vision
Decreased accuracy of results from visual acuity testing
Age-related Pearls
Geriatric
Decreased
accommodation
to distances
Decreased lacrimal secretions
Cataracts: at age 80 1 in 3
are affected
More likely to experience glaucoma,
detached retina, and retinal bleeds
Medical Ocular Emergencies
Conjunctivitis
Inflammation of the conjunctiva
Causes:
bacterial/viral inflammation
allergies
Chlamydia
chemical burns
FB
flash burns
Irritants
URI
Conjunctivitis
Symptoms/Assessment
Hyperemia
Unilateral or bilateral
Slight pain
“Gritty” sensation
Discharge
Mucopurulent
Matting of eyelids and lashes
Edema of eyelids
Visual acuity: Normal
Cornea: Clear
Pupil: Normal
Conjunctiva: red or pink
Conjunctivitis
Treatment
Antibiotics
ointment/drops
Obtain culture, if
indicated
Cleanse eyes gently to
remove debris
Education
Explain contagious nature
Medication admin.
Asepsis
Wipe from nose to outer
corner of eye
Cleanse lid with baby
shampoo
Avoid eye makeup
Follow-up
Iritis
Inflammatory process that includes the iris and
sometimes the ciliary body
Predisposing conditions:rheumatic disease, and
syphillis
Iritis
Symptoms/Assessment
Blurring
of vision
Unilateral pain
Edema of upper lid
Red eye
Photophobia
Decreased visual acuity
Lacrimation
Redness
at eyelash
Clear to hazy cornea
Small, irregular,
sluggish reaction of
pupils
Pain on eye pressure
Fluorescein stain
Slit-lamp exam
Iritis
Treatment/Education
Analgesics
Rest
eyes
NSAIDs
Warm compresses
Cycloplegics to paralyze Shield eyes or dark
ciliary muscle and
glasses
spasms
Follow-up
Darkened environment
Periorbital Cellulitis
Infection of the cells around the eyes
A major ophthalmological emergency and is
potentially life threatening
May occur after trauma such as laceration or an
insect bite
Pneumococcal, staphylococcal, streptococcal
Periorbital Cellulitis
Symptoms/Assessment
Marked
periorbital edema
and erythema
Pain: severe that is
aggravated by movement of
eye
Conjunctival infection
Fever
Visual
acuity:
Decreased
Decreases pupil
reflexes
Paralysis of EOM
Diagnostics
CT
scan
Culture
Gram stain
Blood culture
Periorbital Cellulitis
Treatment/Education
Referral
to
ophthalmologist
Bedrest
IV therapy
IV antibiotics
Warm compresses
Glaucoma
Acute angle-closure glaucoma occurs when the
distance between the iris and the cornea becomes
inadequate or is blocked completely
The aqueous fluid produce is greater than the
amount leaving through the canal of Schlemm
Emergency Situation
May lead to irrecoverable blindness
Glaucoma
Symptoms/Assessment
Red eye
Severe, sudden-onset, deep,
unilateral pain
Intense HA
Decrease visual acuity
Halos around lights
N/V
Abdominal pain
Hazy, lusterless cornea
Pupils poorly reactive or
fixed
Increased intraocular
pressure (>20 mm Hg)
Rocklike harness
appearance
Diagnostic
Tonometry
Glaucoma
Treatment/Education
Referral to
ophthalmologist
Analgesic
Antiemetic
Pilocarpine eyedrops
Osmotic diuretic
Supportive and
informative environment
Central retinal occlusion
Blockage of the the retinal artery by thrombus or
embolus
True ocular emergency
Prompt recognition and intervention must be obtained within
1-2 hours of onset
Central retinal occlusion
Symptoms/Assessment
Sudden
unilateral loss of
vision
Painless
History of:
Thrombus
or embolus
HTN
Diabetes
Sickle
cell disease
Trauma
Visual
acuity is
limited to light
perception in affected
eye
Pupil reaction:
dilated, nonreactive
in affected eye
Central retinal occlusion
Treatment
Referral to
ophthalmologist
Digital massage of globe
by MD
Supportive environment
Possible
IV therapy
Anticoagulants
tPA
Low-molecular
weight
Dextran
Admission and possibly
surgery
Surgical Ocular Emergencies
Corneal Abrasion
Partial or complete removal of an area of
epithelium of the cornea
Most common eye injury seen in the ER
Common causes: FB, contact lenses, exposure to
UV light
Corneal Abrasion
Symptoms/Assessment
Mild
to severe pain
Foreign body sensation
Photophobia
Normal to slightly
decreased visual acuity
Injected conjunctiva
Tearing
Abnormal Fluorescein
stain
Corneal Abrasion
Treatment
Topical analgesic
Topical ophthalmic
antibiotic
Tight patch to affected eye
for 12-24 hours
Education
Follow-up care
Proper patching
techniques
Instillation of meds
S/S of infection
Use extra precaution with
activities requiring depth
perception
Extraocular Foreign Body
Can enter as a result from hammering, grinding,
working under cars, or working above the head
“Something going into my eye”
Metal, sawdust, dust particles
Metal can form a rust ring on the cornea
Extraocular Foreign Body
Symptoms/Assessment
Pain
Foreign body sensation
Tearing
Redness
Normal to slightly abnormal
visual acuity
Fluorscein stain abnormal
FB visualized
Diagnostics
Magnifying lens
Fluorescein stain
Slit-lamp
Extraocular Foreign Body
Treatment
Topical
anesthetic
FB
removal with moist
Topical anesthetic inhibit cotton swab, needle, eye
spud if irrigation
wound healing and are
Patch both eyes to
toxic to corneal
reduce unsuccessful
epithelium
consensual movement
Gentle irrigation with
Possible admission
NS
Extraocular Foreign Body
Education
Instillation
of meds
Patching techniques
Follow-up care
Provide preventative
information
Retinal Detachment
Separation of the retinal layers, with
accumulation of serous fluid or blood between
the sensory retina and the retinal epithelium
Leads to decrease blood supply and oxygen to the
retina
Most common cause: degenerative changes in the
retina or vitreous body of the elderly
Sports direct head trauma
Retinal Detachment
Symptoms/Assessment
Gradual
or sudden
deterioration of vision
unilaterally
Cloudy,
smoky vision
Flashing lights
Curtain or veil over visual
field
No
pain
Diagnostic
Fundoscopy
Visual
acuity
Slit-lamp exam
Retinal Detachment
Treatment
Referral to
ophthalmologist
Patch both eyes or
shielding to reduce eye
movement
Bed rest, lying quietly
Supportive and calm
environment
Admission or transfer
Orbital fracture
Fracture of the orbit without a fracture of the
orbital rim
Common cause: blunt trauma from fist, ball, or
nonpenetrating object
These fractures are associated with entrapment
and ischemia of nerves or penetration into
a sinus
Orbital fracture
Symptoms/Assessment
Hx
of blunt trauma
Diplopia
Facial anesthesia
Pain
Sunken appearance of
the eye
Limited vertical eye
movement
EOM
abnormal
Crepitus
Periorbital edema,
hematoma,
ecchymosis
Subconjunctival
hemorrhage
Look for other
injuries
Orbital fracture
Diagnostics
Visual
acuity
Fundoscopy
CT scan
X-rays
Orbits
Facial
Waters’
Treatment/Education
Ophthalmological consult
Analgesics
Antibiotics
Ice pack
Refrain from blowing nose
Follow-up care
Possible admission or
surgery
Chemical Burns
True ocular emergency
Distinction between acid and alkali exposure must be
made
Immediate irrigation
Chemical Burns
Symptoms/Assessment
Pain
Variable
degree of visual
loss
Chemical exposure
Corneal whitening
Chemical Burns
Treatment
Referral
to
ophthalmology
Irrigate with NS for
20-30 minutes
Administer
cycloplegic
Analgesics
Eye patch
Td
Hyphema
Blood in the anterior chamber from the iris bleeding
Usually result of blunt trauma
Significant risk of secondary bleeding in 3-5 days
with outcomes poor
Hyphema
Symptoms/Assessment
Blurred
vision
Blood tinged vision
Pain
Visualized blood in
anterior chamber at
bottom of iris
Assess for other
associated injuries
Hyphema
Treatment/Education
Have patient sit upright or
bedrest with HOB 30°
Patch or shield both eyes
Diuretics to decrease
intraocular pressure
Refrain from taking aspirin
Refer to ophthalmologist
Admission
Eyelid Laceration
Symptoms/Assessment
MOI
Visual disturbance
Laceration
Protrusion of fat
Upper lid does not raise
Assess for ocular injuries
Bleeding
Treatment/Education
Stop bleeding: Avoid
direct pressure on the eye
Surgical repair
Topical analgesic
Td
Wound care
S/S of infection
Follow-up
Globe Rupture
Ocular Emergency
Penetrating or perforating injury
Globe Rupture
Symptoms/Assessment
MOI
Blunt
Penetrating
Sudden visual impairment or
loss
Pain
Asymmetry of globe
Extrusion of aqueous or
vitreous humor
Direct visualization of FB
Irregularities in pupillary
borders
Diagnostics
CT scan
MRI
Orbit films
Slit-lamp exam
Globe Rupture
Treatment
Ophthalmological referral
Do not open eye
Keep patient in SemiFowlers position
Patch/shield affected both
eyes
IV analgesics
IV antibiotics
Td
Calm, supportive
environment
Admission/Surgery
If impaled object: Secure
it.
Do Not
Remove IT!