Ocular Emergencies Ocular Emergencies for the Disclosure Statement Primary Care Optometrist . Honorarium, Speaker, Consultant, Research Grant: Aerie, Alcon, Allergan, B+L, Carl Zeiss, Glaukos, Heidelberg, Novartis, Topcon, Michael Chaglasian, OD, FAAO Associate Professor Illinois Eye Institute Illinois College of Optometry
[email protected] What is a “True” Emergency? “True” Emergency . Pain (vs. discomfort) . History is key to differentiating emergency versus urgency . Current or potential for: Phone or in person Vision loss Proper triage is essential Structural damage After hours protocol Needs immediate (same day) attention Your office and your specialists Medico-legal implications History Emergency Exam Vision Recent ocular disease or One or both eyes? surgery . Acuity . External examination Visual field Other diseases . Visual fields . SLE Sudden or gradual cardiac, vascular, or . Pupils Blurred or lost? autoimmune . IOP Diplopia? viruses . Ocular Motility . Fundus exam Mono or Bino Medications or recent Pain changes to medications Redness Nausea/vomiting Onset Trauma Contact lenses M. Chaglasian, OD 1 Ocular Emergencies Emergency Kit “True” Emergency . Chemical Burns . Eye shield . pH paper Alkaline . Pressure patch . Bandage CL’s . Sterile eye wash . Diamox . Central Retinal Artery Occlusion . Alger brush . Topical drops . Forceps Antibiotics NSAID’s . Golf spud . Both have extremely high risk of severe and permanent Steroids vision loss which can be prevented via immediate Cycloplegics intervention and treatment Chemical Trauma Chemical Burns . Copious irrigation anesthetic . Acid exposure speculum Only penetrate through epithelium sterile saline v tap water car battery, vinegar, and some refrigerants . Contacts can be removed after irrigation . Sweep fornices – repeatedly . Alkaline exposure Penetrates tissues more easily and . Examination after irrigation and neutralization of pH have a prolonged effect .