Nonpenetrating Eye Injuries in Children

Ocular trauma is common in children, occurring from a variety of mechanisms in recreation and athletics. Differentiating simple eye injuries from those requiring urgent or emergent ophthalmologic evaluation is critical in acute care settings such as emergency departments and urgent care centers. A thorough eye examination is key to the diagnosis of nonpenetrating eye trauma, and a high index of suspicion should be maintained for any patient complaining of visual deficits or ocular pain. Although most eye injuries are minor, early ophthalmology consultation or referral should be considered for select injuries. This article details the approach to acute nonpenetrating eye trauma in children, featuring the most common injuries to the cornea, anterior chamber, posterior segment, and orbit.