Ophthalmic Patients

Conclusion

Rapid and appropriate AE of patients with serious eye injuries is an absolutely critical step in facilitating a favorable outcome when these injuries occur in locations where definitive ophthalmologic evaluation and treatment is not available. Therefore, expedient delivery of the patient to definitive care typically overrides any altitude restrictions. One exception is for patients who have had surgical introduction of intraocular gas in a closed globe. Further, there are no absolute contraindications for moving ocular injuries, and a decision regarding AE profiles must take into consideration other patients and factors related to the contingency situation. It is critical for medical triage personnel in the field to make the proper clinical and evacuation decisions early in the course of the injury.

Future providers will be challenged with new and expanding threats, such as the proliferation of lasers on the battlefields of tomorrow. Telemedicine communication in the future may facilitate field triage by extending ophthalmologic intervention and decisions directly to the scene. Certainly, every effort should be made to prevent eye injuries. However, when injuries do occur the modern combatant can take comfort that a modern AE system will help ensure that definitive medical care is obtained more quickly than before.