Ocular Trauma Surgery
Eye injuries are among the most urgent situations in ophthalmology. Unlike many diseases that allow time for planning, serious injuries require a fast surgical response - most often within 24 hours. Every injury requires its own individual treatment plan, so the safest course is to see an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.
When is surgery needed?
Not all eye injuries require surgery, but there are a number of conditions that require urgent surgical treatment:
Penetrating and perforating injuries - when a sharp object (knife, wire, metal fragment) punctures the wall of the eyeball
Rupture of the eyeball caused by blunt trauma
Foreign body inside the eye that must be urgently removed
Lacero-contusion eyelid wounds with damage to the lid margin or lacrimal canaliculus
Traumatic endophthalmitis - infection of the interior of the eye following injury
Retinal detachment resulting from a contusion injury, particularly when the macula is not yet involved
Lens trauma with development of traumatic cataract or lens dislocation
Chemical eye injuries are not a surgical emergency at first - the most important thing is first aid: immediately and copiously irrigate the eye with clean water for at least 30 minutes, then urgently see an ophthalmologist.
How is it performed?
Surgical treatment of an injury is always individual - no two injuries are identical, and neither are the treatment plans. Depending on the type and extent of the injury, various procedures are performed.
Primary wound repair of the cornea or sclera involves precise suturing of the wound with careful repositioning of all ocular structures. The suture material is ultrafine and non-absorbable, with knots buried in the stroma to minimise irritation.
Removal of a foreign body from the eye is combined with posterior vitrectomy, which today represents the gold standard in managing severe penetrating injuries with a foreign body.
Reconstruction of the lacrimal canaliculus is performed in cases of eyelid canaliculus laceration, with the insertion of a silicone stent that is removed after six months.
Eyelid wound repair ranges from simple suturing to complex reconstruction, depending on which parts of the eyelid are damaged and whether the margin or the levator muscle is involved.
Vitrectomy is used for vitreous haemorrhage and traumatic retinal detachment, with possible tamponade using silicone oil.
What to expect?
Recovery after eye injury surgery can be prolonged - follow-up continues for months, sometimes years. Post-operative therapy is prescribed individually and adjusted to the clinical picture almost daily, especially in the first weeks. Regular follow-up appointments are essential and must not be skipped.
The goal is always to preserve the eye anatomically and functionally, but the final outcome depends on the type and extent of the injury, the number of structures affected, and the speed of surgical intervention.
Eye injury surgery at Milmedic Clinic is performed by an experienced team led by Prof. Dr Miroslav Vukosavljević, Dr Nenad Petrović, and Prof. Dr Dejan Rašić.
Frequently asked questions
What should I do before coming in - is there first aid for an eye injury?
Do not rub the eye and do not try to remove a foreign body yourself. If the injury is chemical, immediately irrigate copiously with clean water for at least 30 minutes. For all other injuries, cover the eye with a clean gauze pad or cup (without pressure) and come in for examination as soon as possible.
Can I come directly to Milmedic in case of an urgent eye injury?
Yes - if you suspect a serious eye injury, contact us immediately. Our team is equipped for urgent ophthalmic interventions and will receive you without delay.
Every eye injury deserves special attention.
Contact our team - always ready to respond quickly and provide expert help when you need it most.