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Eye Injuries

Pakistan

ICITAP

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Learning Objectives

To be able to identify both a normal eye and an eye suffering from an abnormality

To be familiar with first aid treatment for common eye injuries

To know how to properly irrigate an eye

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Introduction

As Police Officers, you will be exposed to eye injuries resulting from accidents, combat and blast injuries

The victim of an eye injury must be treated at a medical facility as soon as possible

A knowledge of first aid can often mean the difference between life and death

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Normal eye

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Anatomy of the Eye

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Abnormalities of the Eye

Eye diseases

Foreign body

Burns

Impaled object

Trauma

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Eye diseases

Conjunctivitis

Chlamydia

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Conjunctivitis

An infection of the membrane that covers the eye

Can be caused by virus or bacteria

Highly contagious!

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Signs and symptoms of Conjunctivitis

Redness (one or both eyes)

Pain

Discharge

Blurry vision

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Conjunctivitis

mild severe

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Treatment for Conjunctivitis Put on gloves

Warm compresses to the eye

A doctor will prescribe medication

Wash hands thoroughly before and after contact with the infected eye to prevent spreading the infection!

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Foreign body in the eye Any material such as dust, sand or

paint that gets into the eye

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Signs and symptoms of foreign body material in the eye

Irritation

Redness

Watering

Blurred vision

Pain

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Foreign body treatment Put on Gloves

Pull the lower lid of the eye down

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Foreign body treatment

Tell the casualty to look up and to both sides and check for foreign bodies

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Foreign body treatment

Pull the upper lid up

Tells the casualty to look down and to both sides and check for foreign bodies

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Foreign body treatment

Gently irrigate eyes with large amount of saline for 15-20 minutes

Patient may feel object is still in eye due to scratched cornea or eyelid

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Foreign body treatment

Removes the foreign body with a moistened, sterile cotton-tipped swab

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Foreign body treatment

Should have a doctor look at eye even if object comes out

Dress both eyes

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Burns to the eye

Chemical burns can be deceiving

Some agents can cause deep tissue damage not readily apparent when you first look at it

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Signs and Symptoms of Burns to the Eye

Initial lack of pain Gradual increase to severe eye pain Redness, swelling, tearing White in the colored part of the eye (the iris) Eyes sensitive to light Vision changes

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Burns to the eye

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Treatment for Burns

Ask the victim to remove contact lenses or glasses, if necessary

Positions the victim with head tilted slightly to side to be irrigated

If victim is seated tilt head slightly backward and to side to be irrigated

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Treatment for Burns

Gather and position equipment

Put on gloves

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Treatment for Burns

Cleans the eyelids with gauze or cotton balls, and rinsed debris from the outer eye

Separates the eyelids using the thumb and forefinger, and held the lids open

DO NOT put pressure on eyeball

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Treatment for Burns Irrigate the eye

Irrigate from inner area to outer area to not contaminate other eye (nose side to ear side)

Hold irrigating tip 1-1.5 inches away from eye

Direct irrigating solution gently from inner to outer aspect

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Treatment for Burns Dry the area around the eye by gently

patting with gauze sponges

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Impaled Eye Objects

Fish hook in the eye

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Treatment for impaled objects

Support the object with a sterile, dry dressing

Immobilize object to minimize movement

Never remove the object from the eye

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Treatment for impaled objects

Cover with paper drinking cup, etc.

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Treatment for impaled objects

Cover other eye with dressing to help prevent movement

Reassure the victim by explaining why both eyes are being covered. The eyes move together. Covering both eyes will keep them still and will prevent undue movement on the injured side.

Seek further medical aid

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Trauma to the eye

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Eye Injury

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Blunt Eye Trauma

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Blunt Eye Trauma

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Blunt Eye Trauma Pain

Double vision

Abnormal eye movement

Flashing lights, floaters

Obvious eye trauma

Pupil distorted

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Care for Blunt Eye Injury

C-spine immobilization

Supine for transport

Cover eyes to reduce movement

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Eye Avulsion When the eyeball is knocked out of the socket the

patient has suffered an avulsion

Avoid replacing eye into the socket

Cover with a sterile moist dressing

Stabilize injury (e.g., paper cup over eye)

Cover / dress the unaffected eye

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In addition to the ones discussed, there are many other eye injuries and conditions that can occur

Other Eye Injuries

Your job is to stabilize the patient, provide comfort and get him to the nearest hospital as soon as possible

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Questions?

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Class Practical Exercise

Practice some of the skills shared in this presentation