Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose: To determine whether the characteristics of patients with traumatic open globe injuries differ between those at least 60 years of age and those less than 60 years of age. Methods: We reviewed the records of all patients with traumatic open globe injuries seen at the University of Illinois between July 1998, and December 2003. Data were analyzed statistically by the chi square method. Results: 23 patients (group 1) were at least 60 years old, whereas 156 were younger (group 2). 43% and 78% were males in groups 1 and 2 respectively, (P<0.005). 57% and 43% were right eyes in groups 1 and 2, respectively (P>>0.05). The racial compositions of Whites, Asians, African–Americans, and Hispanics were 50%, 9%, 36%, and 5% in group 1 and 20%, 2%, 54%, and 25% in group 2, respectively (P<0.005). Blunt, sharp, and combined injuries were 75%, 10%, and 15% in group 1 and 45%, 46%, and 9 % in group 2, respectively (P<0.009). The distribution of corneal, corneoscleral, and scleral lacerations was similar in the two groups (P>.15). Conclusions: Important differences were found in between older and younger patients sustaining traumatic open globe injuries in an urban eye trauma center. Older patients were less likely to be male, be African–American or Hispanic, and have blunt injuries. Optimal approaches to preventing these injuries are likely to be different in the two age groups.
Keywords: trauma • vitreoretinal surgery • aging