Eye damage can occur for a variety of reasons. It is accompanied by unpleasant symptoms, which are manifested by pain in the eyes, leaky tear fluid, partial loss of vision, damage to the lens and other unpleasant symptoms. Correct diagnosis, proper treatment and prevention of such an ailment will help to remove discomfort.
About damage to the visual apparatus
Damage to the human eye occurs as a result of various injuries and injuries that affect not only the eyeball, but also the bone bed, as well as the adnexa. Eye injuries can be aggravated by hemorrhage, subcutaneous emphysema, loss of vision, inflammation, prolapse of the intraocular membrane and other troubles.
Diagnosis is carried out by an ophthalmologist. Sometimes, other specialists, such as a neurosurgeon, otolaryngologist, or a surgeon specializing in maxillofacial injuries, may be involved to clarify the diagnosis. Helps determine the correct picture of the disease by ultrasound and x-ray examinations, blood and urine tests. Having collected all the results of the examinations together, the doctor prescribes the appropriate treatment.
In men, the eyes are injured in 90% of cases, in women only in 10%. About 60% of the population under 40 receives eye damage in one way or another. Of these, 22% are children under 16 years of age.
The leading position among injuries of the visual apparatus is the presence of a foreign body in the eyes. In second place are various bruises, blunt injuries and all kinds of concussions. The third place is given to the burn of the apparatus of vision.
Types of Eye Injuries
Damage to the visual apparatus can be different, these are:
- eye injury, divided into penetrating, non-penetrating and through;
- blunt injuries, for example, concussion, concussion;
- burns, there are thermal and chemical;
- damage that occurs due to exposure to infrared and ultraviolet rays.
Even damage to the eyes by their nature is divided into industrial and non-industrial. The former are divided into industrial and agricultural, the latter into domestic, children's and sports. They are classified by localization for injuries: the orbit of the eye, the appendages of the eyes and the eyeball.
All eye injuries are divided into mild, moderate and severe. The lungs are associated with the ingestion of various foreign bodies, burns of the I-II degree, wounds of a persistent nature, hematomas, etc.
Injuries of moderate severity are associated with the development of conjunctivitis, clouding of the cornea. This can be a rupture of the eyelid, a burn of the visual apparatus of the II-III degree of severity. They also include unfavorable eye injuries.
Severe eye injuries are characterized by perforation of the eyeball. They are associated with severe tissue imperfections, the occurrence of contusion, which affects up to 50% of the eyeball, with a decrease in the functioning of the visual apparatus that arose due to rupture of the lining of the eye. This includes trauma to the lens, orbit, hemorrhage and damage to the retina, as well as burns of the III-IV degree.
Causes of Damage
A wound causes damage to the eye with a branch, fingernail, lens, parts of clothing, and other hard objects.
Blunt injuries occur when hitting the eyeball with a large volumetric object. It can be a fist, a stone, a ball and others. Such damage may occur if you fall on any solid object. Wounds of this type are accompanied by hemorrhage, fractures of the orbit walls, and concussion. May accompany traumatic brain injury.
Penetrating wounds are formed due to mechanical action on the eyelids or eyeball with a sharp, hard object. As a rule, these are stationery or cutlery, wooden, glass and metal fragments. These injuries are often associated with the penetration of a foreign body into the ocular apparatus.
The main causes of eye damage are:
- penetration of a foreign object;
- mechanical impact;
- thermal and chemical burns;
- frostbite;
- contact with chemical compounds;
- infrared and ultraviolet radiation.
Symptomatology
Damage to the eyes with a penetrating wound is accompanied by the following symptoms:
- through wound on the cornea;
- prolapse of the viscera;
- leakage of intraocular fluid through injured tissue;
- damage to the lens or iris;
- foreign object inside the eyes;
- air bubble penetrating the vitreous body.
The relative symptoms of a penetrating wound include hypotension, a transformation of the depth of the anterior chamber. There is hemorrhage in the eyeball, anterior chamber, hemophthalmus, retina or choroid. There are ruptures of the iris, deformation of the parameters of the pupil and its shape, as well as iridodialysis and aniridia of the iris. Cataracts of a traumatic nature, dislocation or partial dislocation of the lens are possible.
These and other symptoms allow you to determine the degree of damage to the eyes and prescribe the necessary treatment.
First Aid Injury
In case of damage to the eyes, the following rules should be observed:
- Do not rub your eyes.
- Do not touch the injured area with dirty hands.
- It is forbidden to press forever.
- It is not recommended to independently get a foreign object that is in the sclera or even deeper.
- If the wound is penetrated, it is forbidden to rinse your eyes.
- in case of chemical burn or damage to eyes, use soda for washing.
- Do not use pain drops.
- The medical blindfold should not have a cotton base, but only a bandage.
In case of eye damage, you can not self-medicate, as this can threaten partial or complete loss of vision. If a foreign body in the eye is on the surface and has not penetrated inside, then you can get it yourself. To do this, the lower eyelid is pulled and the object is pulled out, and the ocular apparatus is washed with clean water. After this procedure, drops with an anti-inflammatory effect are dripped into the eyes.
If there is a bruise, then apply dry cold. These are objects made of spherical metal, as well as cold and frozen foods that must first be wrapped in polyethylene.
First aid for eye burns of chemical origin consists in removing the source that caused the injury. Drops for an eye burn should contain both an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory substance. If the eyes were damaged due to hot hot oil or fat getting on them, then the eyes should be washed. The injured area is covered with a napkin for a while, and a cold compress is applied on top. If there is severe pain, then you can drink an analgesic.
Burns of infrared and ultraviolet origin are treated with drops with an anti-inflammatory effect, and then cold is applied to the area of damage. With a penetrating wound, the eyes are given rest, and the injury site is covered with a napkin. With bleeding, the dressing is sealed with cotton.
If a foreign object is stuck deeply, then the eye should be fixed, and the head should be fixed. In the periorbital zone, remove all foreign bodies lying on the surface without affecting the injured part.
For emergency care for eye damage, drops such as Levomycetin, Sulfacil Sodium, and Albucid are used. Together with drops, you can use tetracycline ointment, "Phloxal". If the wound is large, then a medical blindfold should be applied to both eyes. In the presence of a foreign body, an anti-tetanus injection is made, antibiotics are prescribed.
Diagnosis of the disease
Corneal damage to the eye, like other eye injuries, is diagnosed by ophthalmologists. The doctor examines the eyes for the presence of foreign bodies and wounds. Takes into account the presence of bleeding.
Visual acuity, perimetry is revealed. The cornea is checked for sensitivity and damage. The doctor measures intraocular pressure. It takes into account the presence of such secondary factors as hypotension and hypertension.
If damaged, the ocular apparatus is examined for the presence of foreign solids. The clouding of the lens and the degree of injury to the vitreous are taken into account. To search for foreign objects, a specialist can turn out the upper eyelid. For a more thorough examination, the doctor uses fluorescein, as well as a slit lamp. At this stage, biomicroscopy is performed. The doctor draws attention to the condition of the eye chamber, ophthalmoscopy. A 2-projection x-ray of the eye orbit is often prescribed to make sure that there are no bone injuries or a foreign body.
In addition to these examinations, computed tomography, ultrasound, fluorescence angiography, blood and urine tests can be prescribed. In some cases, the help of additional specialists is required, such as a neurosurgeon, therapist, and traumatologist.
Based on the results of the examination, a clinical picture of the disease is created and treatment is prescribed.
Eye damage: treatment
Therapy is carried out according to the results of diagnosis and depends on the type of injury. Bruising of the ocular apparatus in some cases is treated on an outpatient basis. Enough to apply cold to the injured area. After that, disinfectant drops should be instilled into the eyes. If severe pain is observed, then anesthetic is allowed. Be sure to see a doctor. As a result of the diagnosis, he can prescribe hemostatic drugs, such as Ethamsylate and Dicinon, to prescribe calcium and iodine to maintain health. To improve trophism, do an injection of Emoxipin under the eye.
If a foreign object enters the eye, then only a doctor should remove it. He first anesthetizes the injured area, and then removes foreign bodies with an injection needle. Prescribes anti-inflammatory drops and antibacterial ointment.
In case of concussion, the first thing they do is apply cold to the wound site. Assign:
- bed rest;
- hemostatic agents to prevent bleeding;
- diuretics, have diuretic properties and eliminate swelling;
- antibiotics
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- physiotherapy.
Penetrating eye injuries are treated with antibiotics such as Phloxal or Tobrex. Penicillin preparations may be used. With such an injury, a binocular bandage is applied. Prescribe painkillers. Introduce serum from tetanus. Indicated treatment in a hospital.
Burn treatment is carried out depending on the severity of the disease. In the first degree, anti-inflammatory drops and outpatient therapy are prescribed; in the second degree, treatment takes place in a hospital. Conservative therapy is used. If the eye burn has reached the III-IV degree, then surgical intervention is indicated. Self-medication for a burn of the eyes should be completely excluded.
Popular eye drops
Drops for eye injury are the first remedy. They most beneficially affect the injured organ. Accelerate recovery. Despite this, they can not be dripped without a doctor's prescription. The following is a list of the most effective eye preparations:
- Vitasik. The tool is designed to repair damaged tissue. Helps preserve mucous membranes in case of damage to the eyes of a different nature.
- "Balarpan-N". Contains substances that are similar in composition to tissue in the cornea. The medicine has regenerative and wound healing properties. Fights excessive dryness in the eye. Helps adapt to lenses. It can be used in the treatment of erosion, conjunctivitis, burns, keratitis and other injuries of the ocular apparatus. The drug is used in postoperative therapy.
- "Deflisez." The medication is characterized by a protective, nourishing and moisturizing quality. Participates in the processes of regeneration of the tear film. Helps to remove discomfort in the eyes, including the effect of "sand in the eyes." After surgery, it helps the corneal tissue to heal faster. Effective for burns of various genesis and other injuries. It removes “dry eye syndrome”, as well as fatigue and burning sensation.
- "Solcoseryl." The medicine is in the form of a gel. Stimulates metabolism, improves the delivery of oxygen and minerals to tissues. Accelerates the regeneration and healing process of wounds. It is recommended for burns, injuries of a mechanical nature. It is used in the postoperative period for the speedy healing of scars.
- "Korneregel". Contains the active substance dexpanthenol. Accelerates the regeneration of mucous membranes. Eliminates burning and dryness. It has a wide range of applications. Used for burns, eye diseases of an infectious nature, as well as in the treatment of erosion on the cornea.
Effects
Mechanical eye damage, like other injuries to the visual apparatus, can have various consequences. Among them:
- Endophthalmitis is a disease accompanied by a purulent inflammatory process. Often provokes partial loss of vision. It is accompanied by general malaise, swelling of the eyelids, fever, conjunctivitis. Against the background of this disease, hyperemia of the eyelids, an abscess of the lens can develop. The disease occurs with a penetrating type of damage.
- Panophthalmitis is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the visual apparatus. It provokes the occurrence of a number of infections, including staphylococcal. May cause blindness. The disease is dangerous to human life.
- Sympathetic ophthalmia - appears due to a wound in the neighboring eye. The main symptoms of the disease are a non-purulent inflammatory process, photophobia, soreness. It appears after two months after the injury.
In addition, damage to the visual apparatus can impair vision, cause eyelid ptosis, sepsis, and brain abscess. With some injuries, you can completely lose your eye.
Eye injuries can have a variety of origins. Depending on the type of damage, treatment is prescribed.
Preventive measures
To avoid the need to treat eyes, they should be protected. Most eye injuries occur at work, especially in people whose field of activity affects agriculture, as well as carpenters, locksmiths, blacksmiths, welders and turners.
If necessary, wear glasses to protect the eyes from mechanical damage, observe safety rules. Wet cleaning should be done more often at work and at home, since dust adversely affects the activity of the visual apparatus.
You should always try to work in a room where there is good lighting. Caution should be taken with caustic and toxic chemicals.
Need to listen to yourself. If you feel unwell, try to relax more and not do household chores. In every possible way to avoid bright lighting and protect your eyes from exposure to ultraviolet rays.
Hygiene and the use of only high-quality cosmetics for eye care will not be out of place. You should try to support the work of the visual apparatus in every possible way, give your eyes a rest, take vitamins and eat balanced.
Do not forget that the timely prevention of eye diseases will help maintain good vision for many years.