Penetrating eye trauma: a case report and the role of imaging in prompt diagnosis.

Abstract

Penetrating eye injuries pose a frequent threat to vision in both children and adult worldwide and are avoidable. Prompt evaluation and appropriate management of the injuries are paramount in the salvaging of vision. The visual outcome in patients with penetrating eye injuries are influenced by location and extent of the injury, presence and composition of the intraocular foreign bodies and prompt referral for management. In this article we present a case of a 6 year old girl who presented to the children emergency room with a penetrating injury to the right eye and was successfully treated. This case also demonstrated the need for imaging, most especially computed tomography (CT) scan for management.

Key Words: Penetrating eye injuries, foreign bodies, imaging.