The use of portable slit lamp in the medical rescue of earthquake casualties / 解放军医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To summarize the experience of examination and treatment of 237 cases of eye diseases with portable slit lamp in earthquake area of Dujiangyan, Sichuan Province, from May 14 to July 8, 2008. Methods 237 cases of the eye diseases were examined and diagnosed. With portable slit lamp, the foreign bodies in 25 cases of conjunctival foreign body and 62 cases of corneal foreign body were removed. Results Of the 237 cases, 39 were diagnosed as conjunctivitis, 25 as conjunctival foreign body, 13 as pterygium, 27 as keratitis, 11 as corneal ulcer, 62 as cornea foreign body, 24 as cornea injury, 7 as hyphema, 16 as iridocyclitis, 5 as glaucoma and 8 as cataract. With portable slit lamp, the foreign bodies in 25 cases of conjunctival foreign body and 62 cases of corneal foreign body were removed in one lump with no corneal perforation or infection. Follow-up examination showed that the wounded cornea repaired pretty well. Conclusions With portable slit lamp, ophthalmologists can not only make a precise diagnosis for the eye diseases in the anterior segment, but also are able to timely to remove foreign bodies in conjunctiva and cornea. Portable slit lamp is a useful and convenient instrument for ophthalmologists in the field of earthquake disaster relief.