Eye injuries

Pediatrician Alan Nagar, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, shares advice for parents on why all children's eye injuries should be seen in an emergency department
Pediatric First Aid - Eye Injuries In Children
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Eye injuries

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My rule of thumb on eye injuries is that they should all be seen for the most part in an emergency department. And although we know that some of the eye injuries that come in and are evaluated are relatively minor and inconsequential, some of those injuries could have probably been managed at a pediatrician's office with just good follow-up care. But the eye is a delicate organ and the spectrum of problems is widespread all the way from a minor contusion or bruise to the outside of the eye to a scrape or cut to the inside of the eye to literally what we call a ruptured globe, which is where there's an opening right into the eye that can ultimately lead to blindness. So this is an organ where we can't take chances. Eye injuries should be evaluated and seen in an emergency department. And most emergency departments have a fast track or an urgent care attached that see more minor injuries. And the evaluation that takes place as soon as the child comes into the emergency department can help steer the patient in the right direction, so that if it's minor it can be seen quickly or if it's more significant perhaps an ophthalmologist needs to be called in the emergency department who can then provide subsequent advice, suggestions and follow-up care and treatment.

Pediatrician Alan Nagar, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, shares advice for parents on why all children's eye injuries should be seen in an emergency department

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Alan Nager, MD, MHA

Pediatrician, Emergency Medicine, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles

Dr. Alan Nager is Head of the Division of Emergency and Transport Medicine at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. He is an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California. Dr. Nager received his undergraduate degree in Public Heath and Child Psychology, his graduate degree in Healthcare Administration, his medical degree from the University of Minnesota Medical School and his training in Pediatric Emergency Medicine at the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh.  He has lectured extensively on a variety of emergency medicine topics, appeared numerous times in the media, and published extensively on topics such as dehydration, trauma, mental health, disaster preparedness, etc. He has also authored a children’s book entitled, Angels in Action: One Day in the Emergency Department.

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Transcription: 
My rule of thumb on eye injuries is that they should all be seen for the most part in an emergency department. And although we know that some of the eye injuries that come in and are evaluated are relatively minor and inconsequential, some of those injuries could have probably been managed at a pediatrician's office with just good follow-up care. But the eye is a delicate organ and the spectrum of problems is widespread all the way from a minor contusion or bruise to the outside of the eye to a scrape or cut to the inside of the eye to literally what we call a ruptured globe, which is where there's an opening right into the eye that can ultimately lead to blindness. So this is an organ where we can't take chances. Eye injuries should be evaluated and seen in an emergency department. And most emergency departments have a fast track or an urgent care attached that see more minor injuries. And the evaluation that takes place as soon as the child comes into the emergency department can help steer the patient in the right direction, so that if it's minor it can be seen quickly or if it's more significant perhaps an ophthalmologist needs to be called in the emergency department who can then provide subsequent advice, suggestions and follow-up care and treatment.