Foreign bodies can be removed in A and E, minor injuries and\nby optometrists. First instill some topical oxybuprocaine and then wipe away\nwith a sterile cotton bud. If unable to remove it using this method please\nrefer to the eye pavilion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Please prescribe chloramphenicol ointment to use for 3-5\ndays following removal or until review at the eye Pavilion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Trauma with reduced vision should be referred for fundal\nassessment. Severe blunt orbital trauma can lead to a retro-orbital haematoma.\nThis gives similar symptoms of optic neuritis as the optic nerve function can\nbe compromised. It is an emergency and the orbit needs urgent decompression.\nSigns of optic nerve involvement include: decreased vision, abnormal pupils\n(RAPD), decreased ocular motility and decreased colour vision. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
An abrasion is a scratch to the superficial corneal layer.\nIt will show up with fluorescein. There is usually a history of something\nscratching to the eye. Common causes include fingernails and tree branches.\nSupply chloramphenicol ointment 1% to be used four times a day for 1 week. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following healing lubricants should be commenced and\ncontinued for 3-6 months to prevent\nrecurrent erosion syndrome. A typical regime could be lacrilube at night and\ncarbomer gel 4 times a day. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Recurrent\nerosion can occur following an abrasion and is more common in patients with dry\neyes e.g. after LASEK\/LASIK eye surgery to correct myopia (short sightedness). The abrasion heals but leaves an area\nof weakness. Overnight our tear film is less and on wakening the fragile\nsurface epithelium at the old abrasion site can lift off\/be disturbed and cause\nintense pain. To prevent it from occurring patients who have corneal abrasions\nshould be informed of the risk and encouraged to use lubricants to the eye for\nthe next 3-6 months after the abrasion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A typical history\nis a sudden sharp pain causing epiphora and photophobia immediately on waking.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n