Required Materials
- Cotton bud.
- Physiological saline solution.
- Anaesthetics.
- Dressing material.
Procedure
Within the scope of this program, we will only cover the removal of foreign objects that are found loosely on the eye globe. For the treatment of all other trauma of the eye that is not superficial, you should refer to specialist literature as it goes beyond the ophthalmological knowledge required of a general physician.
Preoperative Procedures
– Start by establishing to what degree the patient’s vision has been affected by the incident that led to a foreign object getting stuck in the patient’s eye.
– Ask the patient to lie down on an examination table/bed. If preferred, the intervention can also be carried out with the patient seated.
– Stain the eye globe with fluorescein to localise the correct location and depth of the foreign object.
– Put on a forehead loupe and illuminate the eye globe with light shining on the eyes.
– Do not only examine the eye globe, but also the tarsal conjunctiva of the lower and upper eyelid by turning the eyelid over.
The Removal Of The Foreign Object
– When it’s clear that a superficial foreign object is involved, you can remove it by using a cotton bud dampened with physiological saline solution [Figure 64].
Figure 64
– If required, you can subsequently rinse the eye globe with physiological saline solution.
– Inspect the eye globe once more and note any damage to the conjunctiva, sclera or cornea.
– If damage is noticed, the patient can be referred to an ophthalmology clinic. If not, proceed by applying antibiotic cream to the eye (same technique as for eye drops) and cover the eye with an eye dressing.
Applying An Eye Dressing
Various ‘made to measure’ types of eye bandaging are commercially available. Some are equipped with sticky plaster strips to allow direct application [Figures 65, 66]. If they are not, take three pieces of (hypoallergenic) plaster tape of sufficient length. Apply two of these in a V-shape across the upper and lower edge of the eye dressing. Apply them so the plaster crosses at the temple. The third plaster is applied vertically across the middle of the dressing.
Figure 65
Figure 66