Abstract
Abstract: :
Background: Ocular trauma is the second leading cause of visual impairment after cataracts. Open globe injuries, in particular, are a devastating consequence of ocular trauma and can lead to eye removal and permanent blindness. Despite the fact that ocular injuries can require extensive medical care including surgery, hospitalization, and repeat treatment over long periods of time, few studies have examined the impact of such injuries on the development of depression symptomatology and post traumatic stress disorder. Purpose: This study was designed to determine the prevalence of depressive symptoms and post traumatic stress disorder among open globe injury patients. Methods: A prospective study conducted from July 1, 2003 to June 1, 2004 enrolled forty six voluntary patients who suffered open globe injuries and presented to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary for surgical repair. The study utilized two self reported scales – the Brief Post–Traumatic Diagnostic Scale (BPDS) and the Beck Depression Inventory Scale (BDI–II). Results: The average time after injury when the self reported forms were administered was 60 days. The average score amongst all patients enrolled in the BPDS survey was 3.8 and in the BDI–II survey was 3.0. There was no statistically significant difference in score determined when the patients were stratified according to zone classification, acuity, injury type, and days after injury. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that these self–reported surveys did not identify significant psychological impairment, namely post traumatic stress disorder or depressive symptoms, within the first few months after open globe injuries.
Keywords: trauma • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: natural history