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Author: Conner Murphy, MSIV
Medical Student
Uniformed Services University School of Medicine
Additional Authors:
Ivan Yue, MSIV
Medical Student
Uniformed Services University School of Medicine
AAEM/RSA Publications and Social Media Committee
Melisa Walsh, MSIII
Medical Student
Uniformed Services University School of Medicine
David Supinski, DSc EMPA-C
Emergency Medicine PA
Fort Belvoir Community Hospital Emergency Department
Grigory Charny, MD MS FAAEM
Assistant Professor
Department of Military and Emergency Medicine, Uniformed Services University School of Medicine
Introduction
An open globe laceration is defined as a full-thickness penetration of the eye by a sharp object.[1] Observational studies suggest that male patients ages 10-19 are at highest risk for this type of injury due to types of sports they participate in, occupations, and involvement in physical altercations.[2,3] Obvious signs of trauma are not always apparent, and a negative Seidel’s test does not rule out an occult intraocular foreign body as the wound may temporarily seal itself if small enough.[4] Decreased visual acuity, chemosis, hypotony, and pain are often the only clues that the patient has an open globe injury.[5] Early diagnosis and evaluation by an ophthalmologist are crucial to preserving vision.[6] In this case report we present an atypical case of a 24-year-old male patient with penetrating eye trauma to his right eye that was not apparent on physical exam or computed tomography.
