Certain findings on clinical examination should trigger further evaluation of the patient for rupture of the ocular globe.
Findings associated with rupture of the globe:
(1) presence of brown tissue protruding through a laceration (iris or ciliary body)
(2) shrunken eye ("deflated")
(3) teardrop shaped or eccentric pupil
(4) sticky, clear material on the surface of the globe (vitreous humor)
(5) hyphema (blood) in the anterior chamber
(6) history of high-velocity foreign-body injury
When 1 or more of these findings are present, the patient should be examined by an ophthalmologist as soon as possible. The eye should be covered with a protective shield until the examination can be performed.
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