Eye trauma

When a patient presents with eye trauma, it can be a daunting prospect for the GP, particularly with the potential risks, including of irreversible sight loss. It may be tempting to send patients to the nearest eye emergency service when hearing the patient's presenting complaint. This is understandable given limited access to ophthalmic equipment in primary care, including, for example, a slit lamp or even a working ophthalmoscope. However, taking a relevant and accurate history with a subsequent focussed examination to assess the extent of damage is both useful and vital to ensure the patient is seen by the ophthalmologist within the appropriate timeframe. However, for some types of eye trauma, such as chemical burns, it is best to treat in tandem with history taking.