Eye injuries

Eye injuries are one of the most common causes of unilateral blindness in the world, especially in young people, 50% of injuries occur before the age of 30. Ocular astigmatism occurs in 1% of the population. 95% of all injured patients require outpatient treatment. 20-30% of beds in eye hospitals are occupied by patients with eye injuries. Many of them require long-term treatment. According to the conditions of injury, peacetime eye injuries are divided into industrial (industrial and agricultural), domestic (children and adults), sports and transport. Military combat injuries are distinguished separately. Each type of injury has its own characteristics. Thus, agricultural injuries are characterized by significant contamination of the wound site, purulent complications, untimely delivery of patients to specialized departments, and injuries are more severe. Sports injuries usually involve contusions. Domestic injuries are often associated with drunkenness.

Eye injuries are divided into mechanical (wounds and contusions), thermal (burns and frostbite), chemical (with contact and resorptive action), damage from radiant energy, etc.

According to the severity, there are light, moderate and severe injuries. Sometimes, a particularly severe injury is distinguished, which results in the loss of the eyeball and blindness. The classification according to the severity is dynamic. At the end of treatment, the injury may be considered more severe than at its initial assessment.

When localizing, injuries to the orbit, adnexa of the eye and the eyeball are distinguished.

In case of eye trauma, first aid should be provided at the nearest medical institution, primary specialized aid - at the nearest ophthalmology office or hospital. If the patient also needs specialized surgical care, he should be transported to the ophthalmology department of the hospital. Progress in the treatment of eye injuries is associated with the achievements of microsurgery; the quality of surgical wound treatment has improved, gentle surgical intervention is performed, one-stage and comprehensive surgery. Timely qualified care can prevent serious consequences and preserve the patient's vision.

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Classification of eye trauma

There is no generally accepted, unified classification.

1. Type of damage:
   • industrial, agricultural, household, school, sports, military:
   • mechanical: contusion, indirect wound, direct wound;
   • burns: chemical, thermal, thermochemical, radiation;
2. Localization of damage: accessory organs and orbits (eyelids, lacrimal organs, conjunctiva); fibrous capsule of the eye (cornea, sclera); internal capsule of the eye (cornea, lens, vitreous body, retina, optic nerve).
3. Aggravating factors of damage:
   • foreign body;
   • violation of intraocular pressure;
   • infection;
   • intraocular hemorrhage.
4. Severity: mild, moderate, severe, very severe.
   • Mild severity - damage that does not threaten to reduce eye function.
   • Average - threatens to reduce eye function.
   • Severe - threatens loss of function.
   • Particularly severe - threatens loss of an eye.
5. For burns.
   • I - mild - hyperemia, erosion, mild edema.
   • II - moderate severity - ischemia, films, intense opacities.;
   • III - severe degree - necrosis of the skin, conjunctiva, sclera (but not more than 1/2 of the surface).
   • IV - especially severe degree - damage to more than 1/2 of the surface, porcelain cornea and its perforation.

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