Conjunctival Lacerations and Injuries

Conjunctival lacerations are typically a result of the mechanical tearing of conjunctival tissue (Gordon, Can J Ophthalmol 47(4):3513, 2012). Injuries to the conjunctiva can be from trauma, thermal burns, chemical burns or infectious etiologies. Patients typically report a contact lens problem, poke, pet related injuries or being splashed with a chemical or hot substance. Patients with conjunctival injuries often report general ocular discomfort, a foreign body sensation, epiphora, and photophobia (Murthy et al., Indian J Ophthalmol 68(7):1371–1379, 2020). Visible signs of conjunctival injury include subconjunctival hemorrhage, a visible conjunctival defect staining with fluorescein and hyperemia.