What is it? Common Etiological Agents Alkalis Agent Example Lime (most common) Plaster, cement Ammonia * Fertilisers Lye * Drain cleaner Magnesium Hydroxide Sparklers, incendiary devices Potassium Hydroxide Soaps, detergents *Ammonia and lye tend to cause more severe alkali injuries Acids Agent Example Sulphuric acid (mostcommon) Industrial cleaners, batteries Sulphurous acid Bleach Acetic acid Vinegar Hydrochloric
What is it? A sudden increase in intraocular pressure, which can present as an ophthalmic emergency. It usually occurs when the angle between the cornea and iris suddenly becomes closed. The diagram below shows the normal anatomy of the human eye, focusing in on the problem area. The trabecular meshwork is a drainage pathway for
No matter what time of the day it is, this is an ophthalmic emergency and requires urgent management to save vision! Orbital compartment syndrome occurs as a result of a raised intra-orbital pressure which can lead to permanent vision loss in as little as an hour if left untreated. (1) What is it? Orbital compartment
The Multiple Specialty Recruitment Assessment (MSRA) is a computer-based exam increasingly being used by many different specialties as part of core training applications. For all specialties, the MSRA score will contribute to or be the sole consideration for shortlisting candidates for limited interview slots for each specialty. Subsequently, the MSRA score will also (often) contribute
Cataract Surgery: A Brief Introduction Cataracts are the leading cause of reversible blindness in the world. Cataract surgery involves removal of the cataract and replacement with an intraocular lens. As many as 95% of patients will have an improved visual acuity (1), often accompanied by significant improvement in their quality of life. It does however
What is it? GCA (Giant cell arteritis) or temporal arteritis is a well known Ophthalmology emergency. GCA is a type of vasculitis that affects medium to larger sized vessels Who gets it? Signs and symptoms: Local symptoms Systemic symptoms Headache Jaw claudication Pain in tongue Painful scalp/over temporal area Persistent pain Hardening of temporal artery
A cataract is “a clouding of the lens of the eye or of its surrounding transparent membrane that obstructs the passage of light”. Cataracts cause 50% of blindness and 33% of visual impairment around the world (Wale et al). Luckily, cataract surgery is one of the most common surgical procedures performed around the world and
Ophthalmology is a hugely popular career. Having the skills and ability to improve a patient’s quality of life by restoring their eyesight is undeniably a rewarding vocation. Other positive of Ophthalmology include: An opportunity to use both medical and surgical skills throughout your career, both in the UK and if you wish, abroad. It is
Introduction With an increase in the ageing population globally, we will be seeing more diseases that typically affect elderly patients. One such condition is age-related macular degeneration (ARMD). AMRD is an acquired degeneration of the retina, specifically the macula, that usually affects the central vision initially. Classically people in their 50s-60s are first affected, and
Foreign body in eye is a very common presentation seen in the emergency department. Patients often complain of a foreign body sensation in the eye and pain on eye movement or on blinking. There may be a history of trauma or using tools, but it can also be caused by things such as eyelashes in
