The injured eye - Practical management guidelines and referral criteria for the rural doctor

Abstract

Ocular trauma encompasses a wide spectrum of mechanisms and presentations, affecting the orbit, globe of the eye, optic nerve and adnexae. The causative injuries range from the relatively superficial to those that threaten sight. The rural doctor plays a vital role in the initial management of patients with ocular trauma and his/her decisions and treatment can influence the patient's final visual outcome. This article serves to classify ocular trauma and to provide management guidelines for treating minor trauma and initiating proper care for injuries that require referral to specialist ophthalmologists.