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June 18, 2013
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Eye Injuries (cont.)

Medical Author:
Andrew A. Dahl, MD, FACS

Andrew A. Dahl, MD, is a board-certified ophthalmologist. Dr. Dahl's educational background includes a BA with Honors and Distinction from Wesleyan University, Middletown, CT, and an MD from Cornell University, where he was selected for Alpha Omega Alpha, the national medical honor society. He had an internal medical internship at the New York Hospital/Cornell Medical Center.

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Medical Editor:
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD
Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD

Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.

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Eye Injuries Follow-up

  • Chemical exposure: Follow-up depends on the severity of the injury.
  • Subconjunctival hemorrhage: No follow-up is usually necessary if unaccompanied by any other injury to the eye.
  • Corneal abrasion: Small abrasions in people who do not wear contact lenses need follow-up if their symptoms have not gone away in 24 hours or if they recur. Large abrasions and abrasions in people who do wear contact lenses will need to be closely monitored by an ophthalmologist to assess progress in healing.
  • Traumatic iritis: Reevaluation in several days with an ophthalmologist is recommended.
  • Hyphema: Such cases are best managed by an ophthalmologist. If the patient has not been hospitalized, follow-up is often performed the next day.
  • Orbital blowout fractures: Outpatient follow-up occurs several days to a week after the injury.
  • Lacerations: Follow-up depends on the nature and extent of the injury. In wounds thought to be at high risk for infection, a wound check may be done 24 to 48 hours after the injury. Skin suture removal is often performed 5 days after a lid laceration. However, if the eyelid margin has been repaired, those sutures may be left in longer (10 to 14 days). Eyeball lacerations will need to be closely monitored by an ophthalmologist.
  • Foreign bodies: Corneal foreign bodies that were not embedded or cleanly removed by an ophthalmologist can have follow-up as needed. If a rust stain is present, follow-up with an ophthalmologist in 1 to 2 days is needed for removal. Deep foreign bodies of the orbit or globe of the eye require follow-up based on the severity of the injury.
  • Light-induced injury: Ultraviolet keratitis in people who do not wear contact lenses needs follow-up if symptoms continue beyond 24 hours. People who do wear contact lenses should have follow-up until healing is complete. Contact lenses should not be worn until cleared to do so by the ophthalmologist. Solar retinopathy requires periodic follow-up with an ophthalmologist.

Must Read Articles Related to Eye Injuries

Black Eye
Black Eye A black eye is a relatively common result of some injury to the face or the head. A black eye is caused when blood and other fluids collect in the ...learn more >>
Chemical Eye Burns
Chemical Eye Burns Chemical exposure to any part of the eye or eyelid may result in a chemical eye burn. Chemical burns represent 7-10% of eye injuries. About 15-20% of burns to t...learn more >>
Contact Lenses
Contact Lenses Contact lenses are miraculous pieces of plastic that allow you to see without glasses. In most cases, contact lenses are used as a substitute for glasses, allow...learn more >>
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Eye Injuries - Causes

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What was the cause and type of your eye injury?

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Globe Rupture »

Globe rupture occurs when the integrity of the outer membranes of the eye is disrupted by blunt or penetrating trauma.

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