Ophthalmology Commons^™

Ophthalmology Consult Order: “Rule Out Open Globe Injury, Ellen Ingram, Matthew Williams, Kevin Kirchner

Medical Student Research Poster Symposium

Out of traumatic eye injuries, open globe injuries are associated with the highest patient morbidity. Computed tomography (CT) imaging of the orbits is routinely used by the emergency department physician during workup of traumatic eye injuries. Positive CT findings reliably indicate penetration of the globe with a specificity up to 98% [1]. However, studies have consistently shown that CT imaging fails to diagnose approximately 30% of open globe injuries [1,2]. Therefore, a negative CT scan does not definitively rule out an open globe. There are no defined exam parameters that have been established as reliable indicators for open globe injuries …