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Corneal superficial injury - Management
When should I refer to an ophthalmologist?
- Refer immediately to the emergency eye service:
- All high-velocity injuries.
- All chemical injuries.
- If there is a foreign body that cannot be removed.
- If any of the following clinical features are present:
- Pain which is not relieved by topical local anaesthetic.
- A reduction in visual acuity.
- Large abrasions.
- Corneal opacities.
- Rust rings that remain after removal of a metallic foreign body.
- Hyphaema.
- A distorted pupil.
- Suspected damage to the retina.
- Deep laceration of the orbit.
- Subconjunctival haemorrhage, if it tracks posteriorly and there is a history consistent with a possible orbital fracture.
- Marginal lacerations.
- Also urgently refer people with:
- Persistent symptoms after 72 hours.
- Worsening symptoms.
- A corneal abrasion which shows no improvement (healing) on a daily basis.
- Recurrent abrasions may be referred non-urgently.
In depth
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