Ocular Injuries

Any kind of eye injury is known as Ocular Injury. The visual impairment as a result of an eye injury may vary from slight reduction in visual acuity to total blindness.

A) Mechanical Injuries-

1) Contusion Injuries: It may results from flying blunt objects(e.g. ⚽)

2) Perforation Injuries: It may results from sharp objects(e.g. 🖉)

B) Non-mechanical Injuries-

1) Chemical Injuries: Most of the chemicals are harmful to eyes. Ex- Acid, Alkali etc.

The severity of the burn depends on the concentration of the chemical, the exposure duration & the pH of the solution. All solutions are irritating to the eye, but is rarely serious if their pH is  ≥ 2.5 . Alkali burns are more severe than acid burns.

Apart from acids & alkalis there are few other chemicals like Organic Solvents(e.g. alcohol), Surfactants(e.g. soap), Irritants & Allergens(e.g. pollen) & Aerosols(e.g. deodorant) which are also harmful.

Ideal treatment is to neutralize the chemical. Immediate & prolonged irrigation with normal water should be carried out. 

2) Electrical Injuries: The main sources of electrical injuries are lightning & high voltage electrical appliances.

3) Radiation Injuries: The major natural source of electromagnetic radiation is sun. Fortunately, the atmosphere acts as a filter, absorbing a significant amount of the harmful radiation. The highest intensity of radiation that penetrates the atmosphere is in the visible range(400-800nm). The effect of radiation will depend upon the wavelength of the radiation & the photon energy.

• Long wavelength radiation has low photon energies. Infra-red radiation has 0.01 to 1 eV(electron volt) range

• Visible & short wavelength radiation have higher photon energies. For visible & UV radiation, the photon energy range is 1 to 4 eV.

4) Thermal Injuries: There are 2types of thermal injuries- flame( e.g. oven) & contact burns(e.g. molten metal).

All types of eye injuries- mandatory check up by an Ophthalmologist. 

Preventive Measures: A detailed history taking at the time of Vision test is very important. Few examples-

• Sportsperson- We will recommend Contact Lens or for Spectacles user high impact resistant lens material like MR8 /Polycarbonate 
• Two-wheeler Rider- Anti Reflection Coating lens to improve vision clarity by reducing unwanted light reflection. 
• Occupational (Mechanical Engineer)- Safety goggles is mandatory.

Also parents should educate their children regarding possible ocular hazards.