Ocular Trauma

Abstract

It is estimated that each year there are 2.5 million cases of eye injuries in the United States, many of which are preventable. Injuries range from mild and self-limited to severe. Trauma is the most common cause of monocular blindness in the United States.¹ Nearly half of all eye injuries are initially seen by primary care physicians, which makes it essential that family practitioners have the expertise and skills to deal with these problems.² This chapter covers four general areas important to every family physician: initial evaluation, common injuries, vision-threatening injuries, and prevention.