VISUAL AND AUDITORY PROBLEMS
Eye Trauma:
• Blunt
• Penetrating
• Chemical
• Thermal
• Foreign bodies
Traumatic Disorders:
• Burns:
o Chemical burns may involve acid or alkali substance
o Treatment:
§ Copious flushing of eye with sterile water or saline
• Tap water if not available until help is obtained/ EMS arrives
§ Always transfer for evaluation
• Penetrating injuries:
o Poorest chance of retaining vision in the injured eye
§ Glass, highspeed metallic or wood particles, BB pellets, bullets, ceramics, plastics, sticks, knives
o No MRI can be done as may move particle and cause further damage
• Orbital contusion:
o Traumatic contact with a blunt object
o S/S:
§ Periorbital ecchymosis "black eye"
§ Orbital pain
§ Eyelid edema
§ Diplopia (double vision)
• Foreign bodies:
o S/S:
§ "feeling something in the eye"
§ Blurry vision
§ Pain
§ Tearing
§ Photophobia
, • Hyphema:
o Hemorrhage in the anterior chamber caused by contusion forces that tear the vessels of the iris
§ Space between cornea and iris
§ Occurs from force to eye and breaks the blood vessels
§ Increases intraocular pressure
o S/S:
§ Pain, photophobia
o Treatment:
§ Topical corticosteroids, systemic in severe cases
o Resolves in 5-7 days
o Can lead to permanent vision loss
• Overall treatment:
o Determine cause of injury
o Ensure airway, offer reassurance, look for other injuries
o Irrigations when appropriate (burns)
o Avoid pressure on eye
o Avoid blowing nose
o Stabilize foreign object if possible (ex. stick/ knife)
o Cover eyes with dry patches or shield if able
o Elevate HOB 45 degrees
o Giver proper analgesics if indicated
o Anticipate possible surgical infection
Extraocular Disorders:
• Hordeolum (stye):
o Infection of sebaceous glands of lid margins
o S/S:
§ Red
§ Tender
§ Swollen pustule
o Treatment:
§ Warm compresses and/or antibiotics
• Chalazion:
o Chronic inflammatory granuloma of the sebaceous gland in the lid
o S/S:
§ Swollen
§ Tender
§ Reddened are that may be painful
o Treatment:
§ Warm compresses
§ Drainage
§ Corticosteroids
Eye Trauma:
• Blunt
• Penetrating
• Chemical
• Thermal
• Foreign bodies
Traumatic Disorders:
• Burns:
o Chemical burns may involve acid or alkali substance
o Treatment:
§ Copious flushing of eye with sterile water or saline
• Tap water if not available until help is obtained/ EMS arrives
§ Always transfer for evaluation
• Penetrating injuries:
o Poorest chance of retaining vision in the injured eye
§ Glass, highspeed metallic or wood particles, BB pellets, bullets, ceramics, plastics, sticks, knives
o No MRI can be done as may move particle and cause further damage
• Orbital contusion:
o Traumatic contact with a blunt object
o S/S:
§ Periorbital ecchymosis "black eye"
§ Orbital pain
§ Eyelid edema
§ Diplopia (double vision)
• Foreign bodies:
o S/S:
§ "feeling something in the eye"
§ Blurry vision
§ Pain
§ Tearing
§ Photophobia
, • Hyphema:
o Hemorrhage in the anterior chamber caused by contusion forces that tear the vessels of the iris
§ Space between cornea and iris
§ Occurs from force to eye and breaks the blood vessels
§ Increases intraocular pressure
o S/S:
§ Pain, photophobia
o Treatment:
§ Topical corticosteroids, systemic in severe cases
o Resolves in 5-7 days
o Can lead to permanent vision loss
• Overall treatment:
o Determine cause of injury
o Ensure airway, offer reassurance, look for other injuries
o Irrigations when appropriate (burns)
o Avoid pressure on eye
o Avoid blowing nose
o Stabilize foreign object if possible (ex. stick/ knife)
o Cover eyes with dry patches or shield if able
o Elevate HOB 45 degrees
o Giver proper analgesics if indicated
o Anticipate possible surgical infection
Extraocular Disorders:
• Hordeolum (stye):
o Infection of sebaceous glands of lid margins
o S/S:
§ Red
§ Tender
§ Swollen pustule
o Treatment:
§ Warm compresses and/or antibiotics
• Chalazion:
o Chronic inflammatory granuloma of the sebaceous gland in the lid
o S/S:
§ Swollen
§ Tender
§ Reddened are that may be painful
o Treatment:
§ Warm compresses
§ Drainage
§ Corticosteroids
