Ocular injuries are the most common cause of preventable blindness in children. A detailed and systematic evaluation of patients with ocular trauma will reduce morbidity and improve long-term vision outcomes.
Our recent issue Pediatric Ocular Trauma: Recognition and Management reviews the critical aspects of the pediatric ocular examination for accurate diagnosis of vision-threatening injuries. It also provides recommendations for immediate emergency department treatment, and indications for urgent versus emergent ophthalmology referral.
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Here are a few key points:
- Visual acuity is the vital sign of the eye. In all cases of ocular trauma, perform a thorough test and document the results. (See Table 7 in the issue.)
- While visual acuity screening becomes more reliable in children aged >6 years, it should be attempted in younger children. See Table 5 in the issue for recommended screening tests.
- Visual acuity apps are available for smartphones. These apps can make the examination easier, especially for younger children.
- After ocular trauma, ask whether the patient wears contact lenses and remove contact lenses for patients who wear them.
- If the patient uses corrective lenses at baseline, have the patient wear them for the visual acuity screening. If the corrective lenses are unavailable, vision testing should be done using a pinhole.
Read the full issue and earn 4 CME credits
Last Updated on January 25, 2023
