Eye Injury Diseases

Types of Eye Injury Diseases
Causes of Eye Injury Diseases
Symptoms of Eye Injury Diseases
Diagnostic Tests

Eye injury diseases means any damage to the eye or the tissue around it caused by accidents, hits, chemicals, heat, radiation, sharp objects, or other force. These injuries can hurt vision for a short time or cause permanent blindness. Eye injuries range from small scratches on the surface to deep wounds that go inside the eye. Some injuries are easy to treat at home, but many need fast care from an eye doctor because delay can make the damage worse. Early and correct diagnosis helps protect sight and prevent complications. Cleveland ClinicBMJ Best PracticeAMBOSS

Eye injury diseases are conditions that happen when the eye or the tissues around it are damaged by physical force, chemicals, heat, radiation, or foreign objects. These injuries can be mild—like a small scratch on the cornea—or severe—like a globe rupture or chemical burn that threatens vision. The eye is delicate and has many layers and structures (cornea, conjunctiva, lens, retina, optic nerve), so even a small injury can cause pain, redness, blurry vision, or long-term harm if not treated properly. Early recognition, correct first aid, and timely medical care are essential to protect eyesight. Common types include blunt trauma, penetrating injuries, corneal abrasions, foreign bodies, chemical burns, and thermal injuries. Prevention and appropriate therapies can often reduce complications and preserve vision. PMC American Academy of Ophthalmology

Types of Eye Injury Diseases

Blunt trauma (closed globe injury): This is when the eye is hit by something without breaking the outer covering. It can bruise the eye, cause bleeding inside, or tear internal structures. Examples: being hit by a ball or fist. NCBI
Penetrating injury (open globe injury): A sharp object pierces the eye but does not exit. This creates a wound that goes into the eye and can let fluid leak out, risking infection and vision loss. EyeWiki
Perforating injury: A sharp object goes into the eye and out again, making both an entry and exit wound. These are often very serious. EyeWiki
Corneal abrasion: A scratch on the clear front layer of the eye (cornea). It hurts a lot, makes the eye feel like something is inside, and causes tearing. It’s common in sports and accidents. PMC
Chemical injury: Chemicals (acids or alkalis) splash into the eye. They can burn and destroy eye surface cells quickly. Alkali burns are especially dangerous because they go deep. BMJ Best PracticeNCBI
Thermal burn: Heat or fire damages the surface of the eye or eyelids, like from steam, hot liquids, or flames. BMJ Best Practice
Radiation injury: High-energy light (like ultraviolet from welding without protection or excessive sun exposure) damages the eye surface and inner parts over time. BMJ Best Practice
Foreign body injury: Small objects such as dust, metal flakes, wood, or plastic get stuck on or in the eye. They irritate, scratch, or penetrate the surface. ICR
Hyphema: Blood collects in the front part of the eye, usually after blunt trauma. It can block vision and raise pressure inside the eye. NCBI
Traumatic iritis: Inflammation of the colored part of the eye (iris) after injury. It causes pain, light sensitivity, and blurred vision. Verywell Health
Retinal detachment from trauma: The light-sensing layer at the back of the eye (retina) pulls away from its normal position because of sudden force, causing flashes and vision loss. NCBIAMBOSS
Vitreous hemorrhage: Bleeding into the jelly-like substance inside the eye from trauma. It causes floaters and dark shadows in vision. NCBIAMBOSS
Optic nerve injury (traumatic optic neuropathy): Force to the head or eye damages the nerve carrying vision signals to the brain, often causing sudden vision loss. AMBOSS
Orbital fracture: Bones around the eye break from a hit. This may trap muscles, cause double vision, or make the eye bulge. NCBIEyeWiki
Globe rupture: The outer shell of the eye splits open from severe blunt or sharp trauma. It is an emergency because the eye’s internal contents are exposed. NCBI
Retrobulbar hematoma: Bleeding behind the eye from trauma causes pressure that can damage the optic nerve and vision. NCBI
Eyelid and adnexal lacerations: Cuts to eyelids or nearby structures can expose or injure the eye, affecting protection and tear function. American Academy of Ophthalmology
Traumatic cataract: The clear lens inside the eye becomes cloudy after a hit, slowly or rapidly reducing vision. ScienceDirect
Traumatic glaucoma: Eye pressure rises after injury because drainage pathways are blocked or damage occurs, risking optic nerve harm. ScienceDirect
Orbital compartment syndrome: Sudden swelling or bleeding in the eye socket increases pressure and can quickly destroy vision unless treated. EyeWiki

Causes of Eye Injury Diseases

Sports-related impact: Balls, fists, and other objects hit the eye in sports like basketball, baseball, or racquet games. Children and teens are especially at risk. AAPOSAmerican Academy of Ophthalmology
Falls: Slipping or falling, especially onto sharp edges or the ground, can cause blunt or penetrating trauma to the eye. AMBOSS
Motor vehicle accidents: Sudden stops or crashes can throw objects or cause direct trauma to the eye and orbit. AMBOSS
Workplace accidents: Tools, flying debris, chemicals, and machinery can injure the eye without proper protection. AAPOSNCBI
Chemical splashes: Household cleaners, industrial chemicals, or acids/alkalis contacting the eye cause burns. BMJ Best PracticeNCBI
Sharp objects: Knives, sticks, metal fragments, or glass can penetrate the eye, causing open globe injuries. EyeWiki
Explosions or blast injury: High pressure and flying particles from blasts can cause both blunt and penetrating trauma, often multiple injuries at once. MedCoE KAPW Store
Motorbike or bicycle accidents without helmet/face shield: Direct head or face impact can lead to severe eye trauma. AMBOSS
Domestic violence or assault: Punches or blows to the face can lead to blunt eye injuries like globe rupture or orbital fractures. NCBI
Foreign body entry: Dust, metal shavings, or wood chips entering the eye during daily activities or hobbies scratch or penetrate the surface. ICR
Improper use of contact lenses: Rubbing the eye with a lens in, or infection secondary to poor hygiene, can lead to ulceration or secondary trauma. (Note: while primarily infectious, rubbing and manipulation act as injury causes.) AMBOSS
Ultraviolet overexposure (e.g., welding without eye protection): Causes radiation injury like photokeratitis. BMJ Best Practice
Thermal exposure: Heat from fire, steam, or hot liquids damages the eye surface and eyelids. BMJ Best Practice
Cosmetic procedures gone wrong: Lash extensions, eyelid injections, or periocular injections can injure surface tissues or introduce chemicals. ScienceDirect
Surgical complications: Eye surgeries (even when planned) can result in unintended trauma such as iris damage, increased pressure, or lens injury. Merck Manuals
Inadequate eye protection during DIY or construction: Drilling, hammering, or cutting without goggles lets debris strike the eye. AAPOSNCBI
Childhood play accidents: Toys, pencils, or falls during rough play can cause penetrating or blunt injuries. AAPOS
Projectile toys (airsoft, paintball): High-speed small objects can cause blunt impact and internal damage. AAPOS
Pressure changes (barotrauma): Sudden shifts in external pressure (e.g., diving) can strain ocular structures, especially if combined with trauma. EyeWiki
Delayed or improper initial care: Improper handling of an initial minor injury (e.g., rubbing, applying unclean substances) can worsen damage or cause infection. PMCNCBI

Symptoms of Eye Injury Diseases

Eye pain: Sharp, aching, or throbbing pain is common, especially with surface injury, inflammation, or internal pressure. AMBOSS
Redness: Blood vessels on the white part of the eye widen with irritation, bleeding under the surface, or inflammation. BMJ Best PracticePenn Medicine
Tearing (watering): The eye produces extra tears as a reflex to protect itself from injury or foreign body. PMC
Blurred vision: Damage to the cornea, lens, retina, or optic nerve makes images fuzzy or unclear. AMBOSSScienceDirect
Double vision: Misalignment from muscle entrapment (e.g., orbital fracture) or nerve injury causes seeing two images. EyeWikiAMBOSS
Light sensitivity (photophobia): Injury to the front of the eye or iris inflammation makes light uncomfortable. Verywell Health
Floaters or shadows: Broken blood vessels or early retinal detachment cause spots, cobwebs, or dark areas floating in vision. NCBIAMBOSS
Loss of vision or sudden vision decrease: Serious internal damage, retinal detachment, or optic nerve injury leads to partial or complete vision loss. NCBIAMBOSS
Eye deformity: Bulging, collapse, or an irregular shape of the eyeball indicates ruptures or severe internal injury. NCBI
Unequal pupil size or poor pupil reaction: Nerve injury or internal pressure changes can disturb how pupils respond to light. Merck Manuals
Eye movement problems: Trouble moving the eye, or pain when moving it, suggests muscle entrapment or nerve damage. EyeWikiAMBOSS
Swelling around the eye: Impact can cause tissue to swell, including eyelid puffiness or bruising. American Academy of Ophthalmology
Blood in front of the eye (hyphema): Visible pooling of blood in the colored part of the eye after trauma. NCBI
Discharge or pus: If infection develops after injury, the eye may leak sticky fluid or pus. AMBOSS
Nausea or headache with vision change: Pressure increases in the eye or severe trauma can cause systemic symptoms like headache or nausea, warning of dangerous conditions like compartment syndrome. EyeWiki

Diagnostic Tests

A. Physical Exam and Manual Tests

Visual acuity test: Measures how well a person sees at near and far distances using charts. It is the first basic test to gauge vision loss. Merck Manuals
Pupil examination (light reflex): Checks how pupils react to light; abnormal response can show nerve or internal injury. Merck Manuals
Extraocular movement test: Patient follows a target with eyes to see if muscles and nerves controlling eye motion work properly. Problems suggest muscle entrapment or nerve damage. EyeWikiAMBOSS
External inspection: Look closely at eyelids, lashes, conjunctiva, sclera, and surrounding tissue for cuts, swelling, bruises, or foreign bodies. American Academy of Ophthalmology
Slit lamp examination with fluorescein stain: A microscope-like instrument examines the front of the eye; a dye highlights surface scratches, foreign bodies, or leaks (Seidel test). AMBOSSPMC
Seidel test: Detects leaking fluid from an open globe by observing the flow of fluorescein dye, identifying full-thickness injuries. PMC
Intraocular pressure measurement (tonometry): Measures pressure inside the eye. It is done carefully and avoided if a globe rupture is suspected. High pressure can signal glaucoma or compartment syndrome. Merck Manuals
Fundus (retina) exam with ophthalmoscope: After pupil dilation, the doctor looks at the back of the eye for retinal detachment, hemorrhage, or optic nerve damage. Merck Manuals
Forced duction test: Determines if mechanical restriction (like muscle entrapment) limits eye movement. EyeWiki
Color vision test: Injury to optic nerve or retina can affect color perception; this simple test can help assess function. Merck Manuals

B. Lab and Pathological Tests

Blood count and coagulation panel: Used if internal bleeding (e.g., hyphema) or bleeding risk is suspected; helps evaluate overall health and bleeding tendency. AMBOSS
Microbial cultures: If infection is suspected after injury (especially corneal ulcers or wounds), samples are taken to identify bacteria or fungi and guide treatment. AMBOSS
Toxicology or chemical analysis: When a chemical splash causes injury, testing the substance (if known) helps guide neutralization and treatment. NCBI

C. Electrodiagnostic Tests

Electroretinography (ERG): Measures electrical responses of the retina to light. Trauma affecting the retina can reduce these signals. NCBI
Visual evoked potentials (VEP): Tests the function of the optic nerve and brain pathway by measuring the brain’s response to visual stimuli; useful after suspected optic nerve injury. AMBOSS
Electrooculography (EOG): Less common in acute trauma but assesses the health of the retinal pigment epithelium and can support diagnosis of some chronic sequelae of injury. ScienceDirect

D. Imaging Tests

Computed tomography (CT) of the orbit: The best first imaging for fractures, foreign bodies (especially metal), and globe integrity in trauma; fast and detailed for bone and some soft tissue. NCBIEyeWiki
Ultrasound B-scan: Uses sound waves to see inside the eye when view is blocked (e.g., by blood) and to detect retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, or intraocular foreign bodies. It is avoided if open globe is not protected properly. NCBIEyeWiki
Optical coherence tomography (OCT): A non-contact light-based scan of the retina and macula that shows layers in high detail. Helps find subtle retinal tears or detachments from trauma. NCBIEyeWiki
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): Used for soft tissue detail, optic nerve assessment, and orbital structures. Not done if a metallic foreign body is present because of safety risks. NCBIEyeWiki

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