Corneal abrasion: Difference between revisions

No edit summary
 
(30 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
==Background==
==Background==
*Must rule-out intraocular foreign body and corneal laceration
[[File:Schematic diagram of the human eye en.png|thumb|Eye anatomy.]]
*Must rule-out intra[[ocular foreign body]] and corneal laceration


==Clinical Features==
==Clinical Features==
[[File:Airbag-corneal-abrasion1.png|thumb|Corneal Abrasions from Airbag Deployment]]
[[File:Airbag-corneal-abrasion2.png|thumb|Corneal Abrasions from Airbag Deployment]]
*Foreign body sensation
*Foreign body sensation
*Photophobia (+/- consensual)
*Photophobia (+/- consensual)
*Decreased vision
*[[Vision loss|Decreased vision]]
**If associated iritis or if abrasion occurs in visual axis
**If associated iritis or if abrasion occurs in visual axis
*Relief of pain with topical anesthesia
*[[Eye pain]]
**Virtually diagnostic of corneal abrasion
**Relief of [[eye pain|pain]] with topical anesthesia
[[File:Airbag-corneal-abrasion1.png|thumb|Corneal Abrasions from Airbag Deployment]]
***Virtually diagnostic of corneal abrasion
[[File:Airbag-corneal-abrasion2.png|thumb|Corneal Abrasions from Airbag Deployment]]
 
==Differential Diagnosis==
{{Unilateral red eye DDX}}


==Diagnosis==
==Evaluation==
#Visual acuity
*A complete [[Eye Exam|eye exam]] should be conducted
##If substantially subnormal evaluate for corneal edema versus infectious infiltrate 
*Eyelid Exam
#Pupil shape and reactivity
**Flip upper lid and exam lower lid for foreign body
##Irregular or nonreactive pupil suggests pupillary sphincter injury
**If concern for foreign body despite normal exam, consider orbital CT or MRI if certain foreign body is nonmetallic
###Evaulate for penetrating injury
*Fluorescein Exam
#Hyphema or hypopyon?
**Apply 1 gtt of flourescein or use strip with anesthetic
##If yes then same same-day ophtho consult is required
**Use Wood's lamp or [[slit lamp]] with cobalt blue light
##Hyphema suggests possible penetrating injury
**Fluorescein will fill corneal defects and glow
#Extruded ocular contents?
**Multiple vertical abrasions suggests foreign body embedded under the upper lid
##If yes then place eye shield and obtain emergent ophtho referral 
*Topical anesthetic (ie proparacaine or tetracaine) may assist in patient cooperation with exam once open globe excluded.
#Contact lens wearer?
**Repeated doses or Rx for topical anesthesia is controversial given concerns for impaired healing
##If yes AND e/o white spot or opacity on exam concerning for infiltrate or ulceration ###Refer for same day ophtho appt
#Fluorescein Examination
##Seidel sign (streaming of fluorescein caused by leaking aqueous humor)
###Indicates penetrating trauma (globe microperforation)
##Multiple vertical abrasions suggests foreign body embedded under the upper lid
##Branching pattern suggests possible [[Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus]]
#[[Corneal Ulcer]]?
##Grayish white
##Worsening symptoms >1day
#Intraocular foreign body?
##If concern for foreign body but none visualized on external exam consider CT orbit


==Differential Diagnosis==
===Additional Considerations===
*[[Corneal foreign body]]
*[[contact lens problems|Contact lens]] wearer
**If white spot or opacity on exam concerning for infiltrate or [[Corneal ulcer]] refer for same day ophtho appt
*Fluorescein Examination
**Seidel sign (streaming of fluorescein) indicates [[Globe rupture|penetrating trauma]]
**Branching/Dendritic pattern suggests possible [[Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus]]
*Visual acuity
**If poor, consider corneal edema versus infectious infiltrate 
*Pupil shape and reactivity
**Irregular or nonreactive pupil suggests pupillary sphincter injury and possible penetrating trauma
*[[Traumatic hyphema|Hyphema]] or [[hypopyon]]
**Hyphema suggests possible penetrating injury
**If present then same same-day ophtho consult is required
*[[Globe rupture|Extruded ocular contents]]
**If yes then place eye shield and obtain emergent ophtho referral 
*[[Corneal Ulcer]]
*[[Corneal Ulcer]]
*[[Conjunctival Abrasion]]
**Grayish white lesion
*[[Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus]]
**Worsening symptoms >1day
*Corneal laceration
*Intra-ocular foreign body


==Treatment==
{{Corneal abrasion vs ulcer}}
 
==Management==
===Antibiotics===
===Antibiotics===
*If treating contact lens associated abrasion must cover pseudomonas
{{Corneal Abrasion Antibiotics}}
{{Corneal Abrasion Antibiotics}}


===Analgesia===
===[[Analgesia]]===
*Cyclopentolate 1% 1 drop q6-8hr
*Systemic [[NSAIDs]] or [[opioids]]
**Cycloplegics can be consider for patients with large abrasions (>2mm) and/or severe pain
*[[Cycloplegic]]s can be consider for patients with large abrasions (>2mm) and/or severe pain
*Systemic NSAIDs or opiods
**[[Cyclopentolate]] 1% 1 drop q6-8hr
*Never give prescription for topical anesthetics
*Ophthalmic [[NSAIDs]]
**[[Ketorolac]] 0.4% 1 drop q6hr x 2-3d
*Topical anesthetics
**[[Tetracaine]] 1% 1 drop q30min has been found to be safe in the first 24 hrs<ref>Waldman N, et al. Topical tetracaine used for 24 hours is safe and rated highly effective by patients for the treatment of pain caused by corneal abrasions: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Acad Emerg Med. 2014; 21(4):374-82.</ref>
**Proparacaine 0.05% ophthalmic (dilute 1 mL of proparacaine 0.5% with 9 mL of NS in flush syringe then place 3 mL in bottle) 1-2 drops in eye Q30 min PRN pain for 24-48 hours only<ref>Salim Rezaie, "Topical Anesthetic Use on Corneal Abrasions", REBEL EM blog, April 21, 2014. Available at: https://rebelem.com/topical-anesthetic-use-corneal-abrasions/.</ref>


===Other===
===Other===
*Tetanus prophylaxis not indicated (unless penetrating injury)
*[[Tetanus prophylaxis]] not indicated (unless penetrating injury)<ref>Mukherjee P, et al. Tetanus prophylaxis in superficial corneal abrasions. Emerg Med J. 2003; 20:62-64.</ref>
*Patch is not routinely recommended<ref>Flynn CA, et al. Should we patch corneal abrasions? A meta-analysis. J Fam Pract. 1998; 47(4):264-70.</ref> and can prolong healing time<ref>Fraser, S. Corneal abrasion. Clin Ophthalmol. 2010; 4:387-390.</ref>


==Disposition==
==Disposition==
#Ophtho f/u in 48h for routine cases
*Ophtho follow up in 48h for routine cases
 
*Minor abrasions will heal in 48-72h
==Source==
*UpToDate
*Tintinalli


==See Also==
==See Also==
*[[Eye Algorithms (Main)]]
*[[Eye Algorithms (Main)]]


[[Category:Ophtho]]
==External Links==
 
==References==
<references/>
 
[[Category:Ophthalmology]]

Latest revision as of 19:53, 29 May 2024

Background

Eye anatomy.

Clinical Features

Corneal Abrasions from Airbag Deployment
Corneal Abrasions from Airbag Deployment
  • Foreign body sensation
  • Photophobia (+/- consensual)
  • Decreased vision
    • If associated iritis or if abrasion occurs in visual axis
  • Eye pain
    • Relief of pain with topical anesthesia
      • Virtually diagnostic of corneal abrasion

Differential Diagnosis

Unilateral red eye

^Emergent diagnoses ^^Critical diagnoses

Evaluation

  • A complete eye exam should be conducted
  • Eyelid Exam
    • Flip upper lid and exam lower lid for foreign body
    • If concern for foreign body despite normal exam, consider orbital CT or MRI if certain foreign body is nonmetallic
  • Fluorescein Exam
    • Apply 1 gtt of flourescein or use strip with anesthetic
    • Use Wood's lamp or slit lamp with cobalt blue light
    • Fluorescein will fill corneal defects and glow
    • Multiple vertical abrasions suggests foreign body embedded under the upper lid
  • Topical anesthetic (ie proparacaine or tetracaine) may assist in patient cooperation with exam once open globe excluded.
    • Repeated doses or Rx for topical anesthesia is controversial given concerns for impaired healing

Additional Considerations

  • Contact lens wearer
    • If white spot or opacity on exam concerning for infiltrate or Corneal ulcer refer for same day ophtho appt
  • Fluorescein Examination
  • Visual acuity
    • If poor, consider corneal edema versus infectious infiltrate
  • Pupil shape and reactivity
    • Irregular or nonreactive pupil suggests pupillary sphincter injury and possible penetrating trauma
  • Hyphema or hypopyon
    • Hyphema suggests possible penetrating injury
    • If present then same same-day ophtho consult is required
  • Extruded ocular contents
    • If yes then place eye shield and obtain emergent ophtho referral
  • Corneal Ulcer
    • Grayish white lesion
    • Worsening symptoms >1day

Corneal abrasion vs. corneal ulcer

Characteristic Corneal abrasion Corneal ulcer
History *Acute pain immediately after injury *Delayed pain frequently 2-3 days or more after initial event
Lesion viewable on fluorescein exam *Yes *Yes
Lesion viewable on white light exam *No *Yes
Lesion morphology *Frequently linear, punctate, patterned, and/or irregular *Commonly circular

Management

Antibiotics

Does Not Wear Contact Lens

Wears Contact Lens

Antibiotics should cover pseudomonas and favor 3rd or 4th generation fluoroquinolones

  • Levofloxacin 0.5% solution 2 drops ever 2 hours for 2 days THEN q6hrs for 5 days OR
  • Moxifloxacin 0.5% solution 2 drops every 2 hours for 2 days THEN q6hrs for 5 days OR
  • Tobramycin 0.3% solution 2 drops q6hrs for 5 days OR
  • Gatifloxacin 0.5% solution 2 drops every 2 hours for 2 days THEN q6hrs for 5 days OR
  • Gentamicin 0.3% solution 2 drops six times for 5 days

Analgesia

  • Systemic NSAIDs or opioids
  • Cycloplegics can be consider for patients with large abrasions (>2mm) and/or severe pain
  • Ophthalmic NSAIDs
  • Topical anesthetics
    • Tetracaine 1% 1 drop q30min has been found to be safe in the first 24 hrs[1]
    • Proparacaine 0.05% ophthalmic (dilute 1 mL of proparacaine 0.5% with 9 mL of NS in flush syringe then place 3 mL in bottle) 1-2 drops in eye Q30 min PRN pain for 24-48 hours only[2]

Other

Disposition

  • Ophtho follow up in 48h for routine cases
  • Minor abrasions will heal in 48-72h

See Also

External Links

References

  1. Waldman N, et al. Topical tetracaine used for 24 hours is safe and rated highly effective by patients for the treatment of pain caused by corneal abrasions: a double-blind, randomized clinical trial. Acad Emerg Med. 2014; 21(4):374-82.
  2. Salim Rezaie, "Topical Anesthetic Use on Corneal Abrasions", REBEL EM blog, April 21, 2014. Available at: https://rebelem.com/topical-anesthetic-use-corneal-abrasions/.
  3. Mukherjee P, et al. Tetanus prophylaxis in superficial corneal abrasions. Emerg Med J. 2003; 20:62-64.
  4. Flynn CA, et al. Should we patch corneal abrasions? A meta-analysis. J Fam Pract. 1998; 47(4):264-70.
  5. Fraser, S. Corneal abrasion. Clin Ophthalmol. 2010; 4:387-390.