special subjects
Work Related Eye Injuries
Diagnosis of Work Related Eye Injuries
A doctor's evaluation Eye examination, including a slit-lamp examination For suspected fractures or radiopaque foreign objects, x-rays Doctors diagnose work-related eye injury as they would Evaluation . They examine the eye, observe eye movements, and examine the eye with a Clouding of or damage to the cornea Tears (lacerations) in the eyelids Orbital compartment syndrome Doctors ask people what exactly they were doing when the injury occurred. This information is essential for making a correct diagnosis. If tasks involve grinding and cutting metal using a high-speed wheel, drilling apparatus, or chisel produce, extremely small fragments of metal (or other material) may be projected into the air at high speed. If workers were not wearing appropriate eye protection, these Eyelid and Eyeball Lacerations . The resulting wound may be hard to see during the examination. Consequently, all workplace eye injuries are promptly evaluated using a slit-lamp. X-rays of the bones around the eye may help identify metallic foreign objects in the eyeball, bone, and/or sinuses, and fractures. If the injury involved a chemical, doctors ask what chemical was being used, what its concentration was, and how long the eye was exposed to the chemical. This information is needed to determine the appropriate treatment. Doctors also usually measure pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure). High pressure may indicate orbital compartment syndrome. Doctors check the eyelids for tears. If the lids are torn, the person is referred to a specialist surgeon for repair. 