Trauma

This condition is treated in the Ophthalmology (Eye) clinic.

Pre-referral work-up

History

All referrals should comply with the Standard Referral guidelines and include in particular:

• Clear description of trauma including mechanism of injury; velocity, penetrating
• Any suspicion of intraocular or intraorbital foreign body - non/magnetic metal/non-metal
• History of hitting metal with metal †’ suspicion of intraocular foreign body
• Chemical injury: detail chemical involved and mechanism injury

Examination

• Visual acuity
• Confrontation visual fields
• Pupil reaction
• Corneal or sub tarsal foreign bodies
• Macroscopic hyphaema
• Eye movements full or reduced
• Globe formed
• Lid or canalicular trauma
• Acute orbital compartment symptom: tight orbit/pain/reduced vision/afferent pupil defect
  • Requires emergency lateral cantholysis - refer suspected cases in a time-critical manor
• Chemical injury: 
  • Immediately irrigate all chemical injuries with Saline, Hartmann's or water for at least 10 minutes.
  • Requires time-critical referral.
• Retinal detachments must be considered

Tests

• X-ray (where appropriate)

Interim/GP management

To refer a patient with this condition, please see the Ophthalmology clinic page for the full referral process and templates.

Chemical injury: Immediately irrigate all chemical injuries with Saline, Hartmann's or water for at least 10 minutes. Refer to ED. Refer significant chemical injuries in a time-critical manor.

Suspected penetrating eye injury: Avoid pressure on eyeball. Do not attempt to remove any foreign bodies. Do not instil any topical medication. Cover with a protective shield being careful to place no pressure on orbit or eyeball. Treat any nausea or vomiting prior to transport. Transport in a time-critical manor with head elevated above torso. Keep nil by mouth.

Suspected orbital blow out fracture: Advise patient not to blow nose. Refer to ED.

For more information please see the HealthPathways Tasmania website.

Clinic appointments

🚩 Red location flags are clinical indicators of possible serious underlying conditions requiring further medical intervention. They may or may not indicate an emergency.

Emergency

🚩 Any significant trauma with lid, orbital and or ocular signs and or symptoms

🚩 Known or suspected penetrating eye injury

🚩 Acute orbital compartment symptom requires emergency lateral cantholysis - refer supected cases in a time critical manor

🚩 Chemical injury: Immediately irrigate all chemical injuries with Saline, Hartmann's or water for at least 10 minutes. Refer significant chemical injuries in a time-critical manor

🚩 Known or suspected intraocular foreign body

If you, or someone else, are experiencing a serious and life-threatening injury or illness call triple zero (000) immediately or go to the nearest Emergency Department.

Learn more about when to access emergency care and non-emergency care options if the injury or illness is not serious or life-threatening.

Availability

North

THS Northern Region does not offer a public eye clinic. See Health Pathways for more information

North West

Unavailable.

South

Wellington Clinics (Level 11)
Phone: 03 6166 0000
Fax: 03 6234 9454