A pre-hospital physician is asked to perform a lateral canthotomy on a patient with a suspected retrobulbar haemorrhage following blunt orbital trauma...

Question

A pre-hospital physician is asked to perform a lateral canthotomy on a patient with a suspected retrobulbar haemorrhage following blunt orbital trauma. The patient has proptosis, a tense orbit, reduced visual acuity, and an afferent pupillary defect. What is the purpose of this procedure?

Accepted Answer

To decompress the orbit by releasing the lateral canthal ligament, relieving pressure on the optic nerve before irreversible visual loss occurs

Answer

To drain blood from behind the eye

Answer

To repair the lateral canthus after laceration

Answer

To facilitate assessment of the posterior segment of the eye

Answer

To assess for an intraocular foreign body

uk-dipimc MCQ (SBA): Retrobulbar Haemorrhage

A pre-hospital physician is asked to perform a lateral canthotomy on a patient with a suspected retrobulbar haemorrhage following blunt orbital trauma. The patient has proptosis, a tense orbit, reduced visual acuity, and an afferent pupillary defect. What is the purpose of this procedure?