Office treatment of eye injury. 2. Injury from sharp instruments or blunt trauma

Eye injuries caused by sharp instruments range from superficial scratches of the corneal epithelium to serious lacerations of the globe of the eye. Scratches, conjunctival lacerations, and some eyelid lacerations can be dealth with by the primary physician in the office, but damage to the globe requires immediate referral to an ophthalmologist. Among possible results of blunt trauma to the area of the eye are ecchymosis, hyphema, blow-out fracture, subluxation or dislocation of the lens, or retinal detachment. Most of thes require thoroguh ophthalmologic examination and specialized treatment. The primary physician may be the first to examine a patient with serious head injury. For future reference the status of each eye should be carefully documented as soon as possible after injury.