Traumatic Eye Conditions

Treatment: Put on eye shield and ensure NO pressure. refer urgently to an eye hospital. 

Administer the following medicines before referral:

Gently attempt removal of foreign body with a cotton tipped orange stick. Use topical anaesthetic like lignocaine 1 or 2% drops to the eye to prevent discomfort during removal of corneal foreign body. If unsuccessful - refer to eye hospital. 

If successful: 

Chloramphenicol 1% eye ointment may be used instead of tetracycline eye ointment above. 

If worse after 24 hours - refer to eye hospital. 

Apply an eye pad with tetracycline eye ointment or chloramphenicol 1% eye ointment stat and advise bed rest for 24 hours, then review. If worse, refer to eye hospital. 

If improving, continue with

Refer after doing the following: 

Consider this to be a medical emergency - prompt action can save vision. 

Irrigate the eye and surrounding areas thoroughly using tap water and a 10ml syringe (without the needle) for 30 minutes. Remove any debris or foreign bodies from the eye if present. 

Then: 

Refer to eye specialist

(Refer) NB: corneal sensation must always be tested with a cotton tip to exclude herpetic cause of corneal ulcer which would be treated with antiviral drugs like acyclovir.