Foreign bodies in the eye

March 2018 | by EMauthor


Subtarsal foreign bodies


Always inspect under the upper eyelid

Can be removed using a cotton bud and probably without local anaesthetic

Check for corneal abrasion and treat accordingly


Corneal foreign bodies


Most of them will be seen on inspecting the cornea with or without the slit lamp, always inspect under the upper lid


Treatment


Instil local anaesthetic, amethocaine or benoxylate into the affected eye

Remove the foreign body with a cotton bud or with the tip of a green needle

Check for residual rust ring and try to remove

Treat the remaining corneal abrasion with chloramphenicol eye cream for 4 days with eye padding

Seek senior help or refer to Ophthalmology if you fail to remove the foreign body or significant rust


Intraocular foreign bodies

Beware of them with suggestive history (chisel and hammer use or grinder accidents)

Can occur without significant eye pain

If suspected, obtain an x-ray of orbit

Refer these cases to ophthalmology


 Contact details for referrals
Southend University Hospital 01702 435555, ask for 'opthalmology doctor on call'
The operator will give you a mobile number of the ophthalmology trainee on call



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