Conjunctival Trauma

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Conjunctival Trauma: Introduction & Types - Eye's First Shield

Conjunctival trauma involves injury to the conjunctiva, the eye's vital, transparent outer membrane. It acts as the first line of defense.

  • Key Conjunctival Roles:
    • Protection: Shields underlying ocular structures from external insults.
    • Lubrication: Secretes mucin, contributing to tear film stability and ensuring smooth eyelid movement.
    • Immune Response: Contains Conjunctiva-Associated Lymphoid Tissue (CALT) for local immunity. Anatomy of the Conjunctiva Layers
  • Types of Conjunctival Trauma:
    • Mechanical: e.g., foreign body, abrasion, laceration.
    • Chemical: Caused by acids or alkalis (chemical burns).
    • Thermal: Burns from extreme heat or cold.
    • Radiation: Damage from UV light or ionizing radiation.

⭐ Conjunctiva's rich vascular supply leads to prominent subconjunctival hemorrhage but also facilitates rapid healing due to good blood flow.

Conjunctival Trauma: Mechanical Injuries - Scrapes, Tears, Bits

  • Abrasions: Epithelial defect. Stains with fluorescein.
  • Lacerations:
    • Superficial or deep.
    • Assess for scleral/corneal involvement.
    • Seidel test if perforation suspected.
    • Suture if > 1-1.5 cm or Tenon's capsule involved.
  • Foreign Bodies (FB):
    • Superficial, embedded, or sub-tarsal (under eyelid).
    • Removal techniques vary; irrigation, cotton swab, or needle.
    • 📌 Double eversion crucial for superior fornix FBs.

    ⭐ Always perform double eversion of the upper eyelid to rule out foreign bodies lodged in the superior fornix, especially with linear corneal abrasions.

  • Subconjunctival Hemorrhage:
    • Causes: Trauma, Valsalva, hypertension, idiopathic.
    • Appearance: Bright red blood under conjunctiva.
    • Management: Reassurance, artificial tears; resolves spontaneously.

Extensive subconjunctival hemorrhage Foreign body on everted upper eyelid tarsal conjunctiva

Conjunctival Trauma: Chemical Burns - Splash Zone Peril

FeatureAcid BurnsAlkali Burns (📌 ALKALI = ALL BAD)
MechanismCoagulation necrosis, escharSaponification
PenetrationLimitedDeeper, more severe
AgentsBattery acid, industrial cleanersLime (CaO), ammonia (NH₃)
PrognosisGenerally betterGenerally worse
  • Irrigate: Normal saline/Ringer's lactate, ~30 min or 2-3L until pH $7.0-7.4$.
  • Grading: Roper-Hall/Dua (limbal ischemia > 180° = poor prognosis).
  • Medical: Topical steroids, antibiotics, cycloplegics, oral Vit C 1-2g/day, lubricants, ?amniotic membrane.

Severe ammonia burn with limbal ischemia (Roper-Hall IV)

⭐ The single most important step in managing chemical eye injury is immediate, copious, and prolonged irrigation.

Conjunctival Trauma: Thermal & Radiation - Heat & Zap

  • Thermal Burns:
    • Causes: Flash, flame, contact (e.g., curling iron, hot liquids).
    • Features: Pain, conjunctival injection, chemosis, epithelial defects.
  • UV Kerato-conjunctivitis (Welder's Arc, Snow Blindness):
    • Symptoms delayed: 6-12 hrs post-exposure.
    • Features: Severe bilateral pain, photophobia, foreign body sensation (FBS), diffuse punctate epithelial erosions.
    • Diffuse punctate epithelial erosions on fluorescein staining

    ⭐ Welder's arc flash (UV kerato-conjunctivitis) is characterized by a latent period of several hours (6-12 hrs) followed by intense bilateral eye pain, photophobia, and foreign body sensation.

  • Radiation Injuries (Ionizing - Radiotherapy):
    • Delayed effects: Dry eye, keratinization, telangiectasia.
  • General Management:
    • Lubrication (artificial tears), topical antibiotics.
    • Cycloplegics (for pain), NSAIDs (oral/topical).
    • Cool compresses; patching for comfort in UV burns (short-term).

Conjunctival Trauma: Complications & Management - Patch & Protect

  • General Principles: Pain relief, infection prevention (topical antibiotics), promote healing, tetanus prophylaxis if indicated.
  • Early Complications: Infection, persistent epithelial defect, corneal involvement.
  • Key Complications & Management:
ComplicationKey Prevention/Management
InfectionTopical antibiotics, debridement
Persistent Epithelial DefectLubrication, bandage contact lens, amniotic membrane
SymblepharonSymblepharon ring, amniotic membrane, surgical release
Xerosis (Dry Eye)Artificial tears, punctal occlusion
Conjunctival ScarringMitomycin C, amniotic membrane, mucous membrane graft

⭐ Symblepharon formation, an adhesion between palpebral and bulbar conjunctiva, is a dreaded complication of severe chemical burns and Stevens-Johnson syndrome, often requiring surgical intervention.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Subconjunctival hemorrhage (SCH): Common, painless, resolves spontaneously; check BP if recurrent.
  • Conjunctival lacerations: Assess for globe perforation (Seidel's); suture if >1 cm or gaping.
  • Foreign bodies: Evert eyelids (especially superior fornix); remove with irrigation/swab.
  • Chemical injuries: Immediate copious irrigation is critical; alkali burns are worse.
  • Symblepharon: Late adhesion, a serious complication of severe trauma/burns.
  • Always suspect deeper injuries: corneal abrasion, IOFB, ruptured globe.
  • Chemosis (edema) is a common sign_

Practice Questions: Conjunctival Trauma

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True about acid injury to eye are all except?

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Flashcards: Conjunctival Trauma

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The severe form of mechanically induced papillary conjunctivitis is known as _____

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The severe form of mechanically induced papillary conjunctivitis is known as _____

giant papillary conjunctivitis.

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