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Medical AI Inquiry: You were designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.
user
Traumatic eye with late presentation of hyperaemic sclera with unilateral proptosis is due to:
assistant
The correct answer is  Severe blunt trauma to the orbit can occasionally cause a retrobulbar hematoma. When a retrobulbar hematoma is large enough, it can cause an abrupt increase in intraocular pressure, causing decreased blood flow to the optic nerve and loss of vision. The conscious patient will complain of pain, proptosis, and decreasing vision. A CT scan of the orbit will demonstrate retrobulbar hemorrhage. An intraocular pressure >40 mm Hg is a consideration for emergency canthotomy. No matter what the intraocular pressure, if retrobulbar hematoma is suspected or confirmed, request emergency ophthalmology consultation. Ref: Walker R.A., Adhikari S. (2011). Chapter 236. Eye Emergencies. In J.E. Tintinalli, J.S. Stapczynski, D.M. Cline, O.J. Ma, R.K. Cydulka, G.D. Meckler (Eds), Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide, 7e.