Traumas, wounds, burns, produced by accidents or the presence of foreign bodies in the eye, are the most common ophthalmological emergencies. It is important the timely consultation and proper management by the ophthalmologist to prevent irreversible damage and loss of vision.
“It is important that the emergency physician, like any other specialist, different from the ophthalmologist, has knowledge of these pathologies in order to make timely decisions when defining it as an ophthalmological emergency,” says the doctor, Diana Booksellersretinologist, from Medical Center.
According to Dr. Libreros, a partial or total loss of vision should be consulted immediately to be treated with an emergency, a previous ischemic optic neuritis or loss of vision in hours or days, non-ischemic optic neuritis, which presents Papillitis, neuritis and pain on eye movements are also considered emergencies.
There are also priority ophthalmological consultations, that is, they give a waiting time, however, they must be treated in time to prevent further damage. Marked ocular pain, located in the globe, not migrainous, without vision disturbances or red eye, is an ophthalmological consultation.
“Conjunctivitis previously treated by a non-ophthalmologist and that does not subside with medication, acute eyelid inflammatory pathology or persistent stye despite treatment or a tumor-like pathology of the anterior segment (eyelids, conjunctiva, etc.), should be consulted immediately. timely manner,” says Dr. Laura Echeverryophthalmologist at Medical Center.
Sudden onset exophthalmos, when the eyes seem to enlarge. For this pathology, a cranial CT scan and general analysis are necessary. · Likewise, an eye fundus examination in patients with suspected neurological pathology. In diabetics, due to loss of visual acuity or metamorphopsia. In type I diabetes, diagnosis is opportune, due to the possibility of rapidly progressive retinopathy.
For Dr. Echeverry, the important thing is to be clear about what type of problems should be consulted urgently and that when it is time to be evaluated by the medical group, the specialist is referred.
There are other pathologies that are also serious, such as vascular occlusion with acute loss of vision, which can be painless and with central superficial whitening of the retina. Diffuse hemorrhages and retinal detachment, with loss of central or peripheral vision. “They must be consulted and treated immediately by the specialist,” says the retinologist.