Abstract
Open globe injuries (OGIs), traumatic eye injuries that pierce through the eye wall, can lead to permanent vision loss if not treated quickly. Identifying which patient populations are most at risk for OGIs, and the specific factors that increased likelihood of injury, can guide more effective prevention and treatment efforts. Our study aimed to identify the common causes of OGIs and their risk factors by analyzing patient data from four major eye hospitals in the United States.
We reviewed the medical records of 1570 patients who presented to the hospital with OGIs. The most common causes of injury were falls, construction work, and assaults. Different populations faced different risks, such as: Black patients, who had a higher risk of assault-related injuries, and elderly individuals, especially women, who were more likely to be injured from falls. We found that lacerations of the eyelid were linked with assaults and falls, and iris prolapse (when the colored part of the eye is displaced) were linked to assaults and construction work injuries. Additionally, more severe injuries (Zone III injuries, which extend to the back of the eye) were associated with eyelid lacerations, changes in pupil response (relative afferent pupillary defect, or RAPD), and bleeding behind the eye (retrobulbar hemorrhage).
This study provides important insights into which demographic and clinical factors put patients at risk for different mechanisms of OGIs. Our findings may be used to help identify severe cases earlier and guide targeted prevention efforts.