Ocular Emergencies Flashcards
Define emergency
Unexpected event that requires immediate action
Define ocular emergency
Condition that threatens vision and/or the globe itself
Define globe prolapse
Globe is acutely displaced forwards beyond the plane of the eyelids
Define exophthalmos
A degree of forward displacement of the globe with the eyelids remaining in a normal anatomical position
What is the pahophysiology of a globe prolapse?
- Immediate oedema of conjunctiva and orbital soft tissue, exacerbated by the eyelid spasm (venous drainage obstructed, further swelling …etc)
- Traction on optic nerve likely to result in permanent blindness
- Desiccation of ocular surface, corneal ulceration
Discuss globe prolapses in brachycphalic breeds
- Shallow orbits impart very little protection for eye
- Very little force required to cause prolapse
- Easy to replace, better prognosis
- Scruffing the animal can cause the eyes to prolapse
Discuss globe prolapses in cats
•Cats have deeper orbits and therefore better protection
–Large amount of force required to prolapse globe
–Head trauma in an RTA
Should we replace the globe?
Attempt replacement if not sure; enucleation can be done later
•If attachments are almost all severed, or if optic nerve severed, enucleate immediately
How do we treat a globe prolapse?
- IMMEDIATE TREATMENT indicated
- Pain
- Distressing to animal and owner
- Improves prognosis for vision and globe
- Delay for referral usually inappropriate
- This condition needs to be dealt with asap by YOU!
- Keep globe moist
–Wet swab, ointment (if animal lets you)
- Prevent self-trauma with Buster collar
- Sedation/analgesia
- GA for replacement of globe
How do you replace a globe prolapse?
•Pull eyelids forward
–hooks, stay sutures, Allis tissue forceps
•+/- lateral canthotomy
–cut skin at lateral canthus to make eyelid opening larger
–reduces pressure on globe
- Happened within half hour – get on with it
- Long time ago – clip hair
- Clean area
- Gentle pressure with wet swab on globe to push back into orbit
- Repair canthotomy
- Suture eyelids together (temporary tarsorrhaphy)
–Prevents re-prolapse
–Tamponades haematoma and oedema within orbit
- Systemic NSAIDS, antibiotics
- Remove stitches in 10-14 days
What does this show?
Lateral canthotomy
Discuss how you would complete a tarsorrhaphy?
- Simple interrupted sutures
- Start 3-5mm away from eyelid margin
- Needle can emerge from eyelid margin (preferred) or (just behind)
- 5/0 Vicryl
- 3-4 sutures
- Horizontal mattress sutures
- Plastic tubing to reduce pressure on eyelid skin
- Suture material must not go full thickness through eyelid – will rub on cornea and cause pain and ulceration
What is the issue here?
Stitches have been put too deep
What is the prognosis for a globe prolapse?
- Guarded, even with prompt, appropriate treatment
- Majority of eyes are blind (80% dogs, ?all cats)
- Most owners prefer a blind eye to no eye
- Blind but pain-free globe is acceptable
- Blind but uncomfortable globe may require enucleation later…
What causes a retrobulbar abscess?
Abscess or cellulitis behind the globe
What are the clinical signs of a retrobulbar abcess?
–Acute onset
–Unilateral (usually)
–Exophthalmos (proptosis)
–Pain, especially on opening the mouth
–Third eyelid protrusion and swelling
- Ocular discharge