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Visual prognosis poor in older patients with open globe injuries
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Elderly patients with open-globe injuries have a poor visual prognosis, according to a study.
The retrospective review included the charts of 90 patients who were 65 years or older and had open-globe injuries.
Open-globe injuries were categorized as ruptures (83.3%) or penetrating lacerations (16.7%) from falls, accidental traumas, motor vehicle accidents and assault. The majority of injuries were ruptures caused by falls.
Mean visual acuity was 2.37 logMAR at presentation and 1.66 logMAR at 1 year follow-up; 14.4% of patients achieved final visual acuity of 20/200 or better.
Twenty-two patients presented with no light perception, and 10 still had no light perception after repair. Thirty patients had to undergo secondary ocular surgeries. Sixty-eight patients had a previous ocular surgery, with 51.1% having reopened incision wounds at presentation.
“Ocular trauma in the elderly has a poor visual prognosis because of concurrent ocular aging problems such as diabetes, glaucoma and history of surgeries. Its patterns, causes, and functional and anatomical outcomes differ from general [open-globe injuries],” the study authors said. – by Kristie L. Kahl
Disclosure: Zarbin is a consultant for Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Helios KK, Calhoun Vision, Imagen Biotech and Genentech. The other authors have no relevant financial disclosures.
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