Ocular injuries - a review

V N Sukati

doi:10.4102/aveh.v71i2.73

Abstract

No abstract available

Highlights

All ocular structures are vulnerable to injury, but the site often depends on the cause and mechanism of ocular injury[1]
There are several factors that determine the final resting place and damage caused by an intra-ocular foreign body (IOFB) which include the size, shape and momentum of the object at the time of impact, as well as the site of ocular penetration
Chalcosis can result which is due to an intraocular foreign body with a high copper content causing a violet endophthalmitis like appearance on the Descemet’s membrane of the cornea, vitreous and the internal limiting membrane of the retina often with progression to phthisis bulbi[11, 12]

Summary

Introduction

All ocular structures are vulnerable to injury, but the site often depends on the cause and mechanism of ocular injury[1]. Ocular injuries are divided into open globe and closed globe injuries, there may be an overlap in their classification based on the causative agent or inflicting object involved. An open globe injury (an injury penetrating into the globe) involves a full thickness wound of the corneoscleral wall which may result from penetrating or blunt eye trauma. Closed globe injuries are commonly due to blunt trauma whereby the corneoscleral wall of the globe remains intact (a partial thickness corneal wound) intraocular damage may be present. They are divided into burns, blunt trauma/contusions and lamellar lacerations. If the inflicting object is blunt, it can result in either a contusion or a rupture (open globe)[5,6,7,8]

The South African Optometrist

Open globe injuries

Closed globe injuries

Conclusion