What is Ruptured Globe

Ruptured globe is when the wall of your eye is split open due to an injury. This can happen when something sharp punctures the eyeball or when the eyeball is struck so hard that it breaks open.

A ruptured globe is a medical emergency.

What are the causes?

This condition may be caused by any accident in which a sharp or a blunt object hits the eye or the eye strikes a hard object. It may happen after:

• Being forcefully poked in the eye by a sharp object, such as a stick, pencil, or scissors.
• Being hit directly on the eye by a blunt object, such as a baseball bat, ball, or fist.
• Being struck in the eye by a flying object. Injuries from flying objects may also occur at work, during home improvement projects, or during sporting events.
• Striking the face on a hard object, such as a car dashboard during a crash.
• Falling and hitting the eye.

What are the signs or symptoms?

Symptoms of this condition include:

• Pain.
• Loss of vision.
• Decreased ability to move the eye normally.
• Blood or fluid leaking from the eye.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition is diagnosed with a medical history and physical exam. You may also have imaging tests, including:

• CT scan.
• X-ray.
• MRI.
• Ultrasound.

How is this treated?

Treatment for this condition typically requires surgery by an eye surgeon (ophthalmologist). Before surgery is done, initial treatment may include:

• Keeping the eye covered with a shield to protect the eye from additional or further injury.
• Medicines to prevent vomiting. Vomiting can increase pressure in the eye and cause further injury.
• Pain medicines and medicine that relaxes you (sedative).
• Antibiotic medicines to prevent or treat infection.
• Bed rest.
• A tetanus shot.