Purpose
To evaluate demographics, characteristics and outcomes of open globe injuries (OGI) in motor vehicular accident (VAs).
Methods
Retrospective chart review of patients with OGIs related to VAs that presented to University Hospital, Newark, from 2000-2012.
Results
Twenty-five patients were identified, and the average age of the patients was 33.3 years (range, 5-75). Twelve (48%) patients were between 20-40 years old. The sample included 64% males. In the group, 36% were African American, 32% Caucasian, and 20% Hispanic. The 25 vehicles were comprised of 24 automobiles and 1 motorcycle. Ten (40%) patients wore seatbelts and 5 (20%) did not wear seatbelts; the seatbelt status was not documented for the remaining cases. Ethanol was documented as a contributing factor in 5 of the accidents. There were 6 documented airbag deployments. Seven (54%) of 13 phakic eyes had cataracts at the initial presentation, 4 (16%) were aphakic, and 2 (8%) were pseudophakic. In terms of open globe classification, 15 (60%) were rupture, and 5 (20%) were penetrating injuries; 3 (12%) had intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs). Two (8%) of the open globes were cataract wound dehiscence. The average follow-up time was 18.9 months (range, 0-97 months). The open globe was in Zone 1 in 9 (36%) eyes, Zone 2 in 7 (28%) eyes and Zone 3 in 6 (18%) eyes. Twenty (80%) eyes had their primary globe repair within 24 hours from when the injury occurred. Ten (40%) patients had a corneal injury, 9 (36%) patients had a corneoscleral injury, and 3 (12%) had a scleral injury. The mean visual acuity (VA), in logMAR, at presentation was 1.70 (Snellen VA, 20/1002). The mean final VA, logMAR, was 1.28 (Snellen VA, 20/381). Ten eyes (40%) had a final VA of 20/400 or worse. Fourteen eyes (56%) achieved a final VA of 20/200 or better; 7 (28%) eyes achieved a final VA of 20/40 or better.
Conclusions
Fifty-six percent of eyes with an open globe injury related to a vehicular accident achieved a final VA of 20/200 or better in this series. No eyes developed endophthalmitis.
Keywords: 742 trauma •
688 retina