Appendix A - Ocular Trauma

Question 1

what three vital signs should be included in eye exam

Answer 1

pupils
vision
intraocular pressure

Question 2

when would we not heck the intraocular eye pressure

Answer 2

when open globe is suspected as you may drive more intraocular contents from the eye

Question 3

what are signs of retrobulbar haemorrhage with compartment syndrome

Answer 3

decreased vision
elevated eye pressure
symmetrical proptosis (eye bulge)
resistance to retropulsion
tight eyelids against the globe (rock-hard eye)

Question 4

what do we do if we are concerned about a retrobulbar haemorrhage causing compartment syndrome

Answer 4

contact opthalomolgy who can perform canthotomy and cantholysis

Question 5

how quickly should we treat chemical ocular injuries

Answer 5

immediately; these are true ocular emergencies

Question 6

what are signs of an open globe

Answer 6

a peaked pupil
shallow anterior chamber
corneal or scleral laceration
abnormal pigmented tissue poking through sclera or cornea
many floating red or white red blood cells in aqueous humor

Question 7

what antibiotics do we use in open glboe

Answer 7

fluoroquinolones as they penetrate the vitreous e.g. levofloxacin, cipro

Question 8

why do we explain to the patient to keep their eye as still as possible

Answer 8

because extra ocular muscle movement can cause further extrusion of ocular contents