Cornea and External Diseases

Corneal Blunt Trauma

Marked descemet's folds and corneal edema following ocular blunt injury.
  • Is usually not sight-threatening injury.

Clinical Features

  • Symptoms: acute blurry vision, foreign body sensation, photophobia or ocular pain.
  • Signs:
    • May be isolated or associated with bruising or swelling of surrounding ocular tissues
    • Mild blunt trauma may cause epithelial disruption without stromal or endothelial damage
    • Severe blunt trauma may cause endothelial damage, Descemet's membrane tears with resulting severe corneal edema or laceration

Work Up

  • Thorough eye examination includes dilated fundus examination to rule out intraocular foreign body and damage to intraocular structures.
  • Seidel test to rule out open globe injury.
  • Ultrasonography.
  • Exam under general anesthesia may be necessary for exploration and/or repair of suspected rupture globe.

Management

  • Eye patch or bandage contact lens for corneal abrasion.
  • Prophylactic topical antibiotics.
  • Topical steroids may be useful in cases of significant inflammatory reaction.
  • Hypertonic saline or 5% NaCl ointment or drops to resolve corneal edema.