First Aid for Eye injuries
Lukáš Dadák
Learning objectives
̶ Student will learn the most common mechanisms of eye injuries.
̶ Student will learn the theoretical foundations of first aid for eye
injuries.
̶ Student will learn how to prevent eye injuries.
Content
̶ anatomy of the eye and orbit
̶ mechanical eye injuries
̶ non-perforating eye injuries
̶ perforating eye injury
̶ chemical injuries
̶ physical injuries
̶ orbital injuries
Anatomy
https://www.mastereyeassociates.com/eye-anatomy
Mechanical Eye Injuries
̶ foreign body
̶ loosely in the conjunctival sac
̶ corneal erosion
̶ foreign body in cornea / conjunctiva / penetrating injury
̶ symptoms:
̶ a feeling that something is stuck in the eye
̶ tearing
̶ blinking, blepharospasmus
̶ pain, haedache, severe sensitivity to light
̶ conjunctival redness
Foreign Body Lodged in a Conjunctival Sac
To examine the lower sac, pull the lower lid
down with your finger while the patient looks up.
https://aneskey.com/foreign-body-conjunctival/
Foreign Body Lodged in a Conjunctival Sac
To examine the upper sac: hold the
proximal portion of the upper lid down with
a cotton-tipped swab while pulling the lid
out and up by its lashes, everting most of
the lid, as the patient looks down. Push the
cotton swab downward to help turn the
upper conjunctival sac “inside out”.
https://aneskey.com/foreign-body-conjunctival/
Foreign Body
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1844102-overview#a3
https://www.stjohnvic.com.au/news/eye-injury-first-aid-tips/
Corneal Erosion
̶ FA:
̶ SSS ABC
̶ reassure the casualty
̶ dressing over the injuried eye
̶ seek medical help
https://www.atlasophthalmology.net/photo.jsf?node=7384&locale=en
Penetrating body
FA:
̶ SSS ABC
̶ reassure the casualty
̶ dressing over the injuried eye
̶ Do NOT apply pressure!
̶ seek medical help
https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1844102-overview
Burn
Chemical injuries
̶ acid/alcali
̶ solvents
̶ Signs:
̶ pain
̶ swelling
̶ red and watery
̶ more sensitive to light
̶ FA in seconds!
https://www.denios.cz/
Burns
Chemical injuries
̶ FA in seconds:
̶ SSS ABC
̶ open eyelids carefully
̶ wash eye with cold water for
20 minutes
̶ EMS
̶ Do not contaminate healthy eye!
https://www.stjohnvic.com.au/news/eye-injury-first-aid-tips/
Chemical injuries
̶ superficial injury of the cornea
Acid
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1034/j.1600-0420.2002.800102.x?sid=nlm%3Apubmed
Chemical injuries
̶ deeper injury of the cornea
̶ watery conjunctiva with redness
Alcali
https://www.atlasophthalmology.net/photo.jsf?node=2779&locale=en
Physical injuries
̶ Arc welding without protection
̶ Signs:
̶ pain
̶ swelling of the eyelid
̶ blepharospasmus
̶ congested conjunctiva
̶ FA:
̶ Position eye pad / soft clean
dressing over injured eye
̶ seek medical aid
UV Light Burn, Snow Blindess
https://www.goggles4u.co.uk/what-ultra-violet-damage-actually-does-to-your-eyes
Blunt eye / orbit injury
eye / orbital impact
̶ fractures
̶ lens shift
̶ anterior chamber hemorrhage
̶ retinal injury
https://aneskey.com/facial-trauma/
Blunt eye / orbit injury
symptoms:
̶ pain
̶ hematoma
̶ visual impairment
FA:
̶ SSS ABC
̶ provide medical treatment
https://www.drchristopherzoumalan.com/es/photo-gallery/orbital-trauma-orbital-fracture-repair/
Prevention of eye injuries
̶ 90% of injuries are preventable
̶ 70% of injuries are caused by fast-flying debris
Use glasses!
https://corkeyeclinic.ie/Eye-Injuries
Summary
̶ Eye injuries can be prevented.
̶ Acids and alkalis are diluted in the eye and on the skin only with
water.
̶ Rinsing is performed with water lying down, for a long time even
during transport.
̶ Sterile dressing is applied to the affected eye.
̶ In the case of a perforating eye injury, both eyes are immobilized
by applying a bandage after informing the injured person.
Learning outcomes
̶ Student can describe the principles of first aid for penetrating eye
injuries.
̶ Student describes the basics of first aid in case of acid or lye
contact with the eye.
̶ Student is able to list the basic precaution for the prevention of
eye injuries.
Resources
̶ https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/injuries
̶ https://www.stjohnvic.com.au/news/eye-injury-first-aid-tips/
̶ https://stjohn.org.au/assets/uploads/First%20aid%20for%20eye%
20injuries.pdf
Simulation Centre, Faculty of Medicine, Masaryk University
2020