American Society of Ophthalmic Trauma Pilot · In development

Management by diagnosis  /  The polytrauma patient

TraumaEmergencyFormat example

The polytrauma patient

Emergency and trauma guidance for how to triage the ophthalmic portion of the polytrauma patient.

How this page is meant to work. Every diagnosis carries a short quick reference for the clinician at the bedside, in the same four step order as Where Do I Start. Where a fuller ASOT resource exists, the quick reference links out to it at the bottom rather than reproducing it. This page shows that arrangement with the sections still to be written.
1

Pertinent questions when taking the history

Mechanism, timing, and the systemic context the trauma team already has. In development

2

Visual vital signs

Vision, pressure, and pupils in the patient who may be intubated, sedated, or uncooperative, and the window in which to obtain them. In development

3

Describe the focused anatomy

What to document for the consultant when the eye is one of several injuries. In development

4

Supporting imaging, if needed

When orbital imaging changes management, and when the trauma pan scan already answers the question. In development

5

Treatment

What has to happen during resuscitation and what can be staged. In development

6

Follow up

Handoff to the trauma team and the ophthalmic reassessment interval. In development

Red flags

To be written with the section above. In development

Additional resources

Trauma Manual information. The Manual of Ophthalmic Emergencies and Trauma chapter on the polytrauma patient is expected in 2027, and the citation will sit here once it publishes.

Interactive polytrauma pathway, built from the chapter →

Draft for committee review. Quick reference to be authored; the linked pathway is shown as an example of how a longer resource attaches to a diagnosis page.