Corneal Sparing Conjunctival Abrasion

• Main Authors: Hamid Ehsani-Nia, Tanya Dall, Samantha Costantini
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: eScholarship Publishing, University of California 2017-07-01
• Series: Journal of Education and Teaching in Emergency Medicine
• Subjects: Ophthalmology; ophtho; eye; cornea; abrasions
• Online Access: http://jetem.org/conjunctival_abrasion/
• ISSN: 2474-1949; 2474-1949

History of present illness: A 15-year-old male was transported to the emergency department via ambulance as a trauma activation after being struck by an automobile while jogging. Patient was alert and oriented, with no focal neurological deficits and no loss of consciousness. The patient complained of right eye foreign body sensation. Significant findings: Physical exam was significant for multiple broken teeth, multiple minor abrasions on the face, and fine shards of shattered glass on his face and hair. His right eye had conjunctival injection, with no signs of subconjunctival hemorrhage or ocular penetration. Vision, extraocular movement, and pupillary exam were grossly intact. Fluorescein staining with slit lamp exam with cobalt blue filter examination of the right eye revealed superficial bulbar conjunctival uptake of fluorescein dye staining an area of the conjunctiva inferior to the limbus 5 mm vertical by 2 mm horizontal (estimation by photo provided). No foreign bodies were visualized in the inferior fornix. These findings were consistent with superficial conjunctival abrasion. The exam noted sparing of the corneal epithelium. Discussion: The conjunctiva is a thin, transparent membrane covering the ocular surface from the corneal limbus to the posterior eyelid margin.1 When damaged, the patient will classically have a “foreign body” sensation. It is important to identify the extent of the injury as not extending over the cornea, and also to search for lodged foreign bodies that damage the conjunctiva further with each blink. Classically retained foreign bodies will form a linear and vertical pattern of staining with fluorescein.2,3 Fluorescein stains expose basement membrane and fluoresces bright green under ultraviolet light, thus indicating areas of damage in contrast to its surrounding tissue.4,5 In the setting of acute trauma, urgent Ophthalmologic consultation is indicated if there is anterior chamber hemorrhage, a ruptured or perforated globe, or conjunctival laceration greater than 1cm.6 Most minor mechanical traumas to the conjunctiva have an excellent prognosis and can be handled in the emergency department with outpatient treatment with antibiotic drops or ointment.