Epidemiologic and clinical features of open-globe injuries in childhood

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the epidemiologic and clinical features of open-globe injuries in childhood. Material and Method: The records of the pediatric patients who were evaluated for open-globe injuries between 2007 and 2011 in our department were retrospectively screened. Age, gender, time, setting, localization and cause of injury, follow-up time, complications, number of surgeries, initial and final visual acuity were assessed. Results: A total of 37 patients were enrolled in the study. Of 37 patients, 12 (32.4%) were girls and 25 (67.6%) were boys with a mean age of 9.9±4.5. Boy/girl rate was likely to increase as the age increased (p=0.018). Twenty-one (56.8%) patients were injured during play. The time interval between injury and admission to the hospital was 15.9±29.4 hours. Injuries were most likely to have occurred on the street (48.6%) and at home (40.5%). Boys were more likely to be injured on the street (68%), whereas girls were more likely to be injured at home (83.3%) (p=0.001). The most common objects causing injury were sharp metal and wood tools (29.7% - for both genders). Injury was corneal in 22 (59.5%) patients and scleral in 8 (21.6%) patients. In 18 (48.6%) patients, the injury was complicated, and cataract was the most common complication. Reoperation was needed in 16 (43.2%) patients. Final visual acuity was equal to or better than 0.5 in 54% of the patients. Final visual acuity correlated with initial visual acuity (p=0.004, r=0.491). Discussion: Open-globe injuries in childhood mostly occur at home or on the street via sharp wood or metal objects. Nearly a quarter of all patients suffer from low vision as a result of these injuries which are mostly preventable.