Brief communication (Original). Visual outcome in open globe injuries in Thailand: a prospective study

Background: Eye injuries, especially open globe injuries, cause visual morbidities and socioeconomic burden. It is urgent have good database and stakeholder involvement for open globe injuries.

Objectives: Investigate the epidemiology and predictive factors of visual outcome in open globe injuries in an industrial area in Thailand.

Methods: Consecutive cases of in-patient open globe injuries in Mettapracharak Eye Centre between February 2009 and January 2010 were examined. Patients were interviewed at first visit and followed-up for six months. The Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology was used to classify types of injuries. Demographic data, cost of treatment, length of stay, and predictive factors (initial visual acuity, presence of relative afferent pupillary defect, hyphema, vitreous hemorrhage, intraocular foreign bodies, retinal detachment, time-duration to surgery, and wound length) were assessed.

Results: Fifty-two out of 60 eyes were included. Most (82.7%) of patients were men and average age was 34.1 years (range: 8-68 years). About half (51.9%) graduated from primary school and 65.3% were labourers. Most patients had not used protective devices. The endophthalmitis rate was 13.5%, and panophthalmitis rate was 5.8%. The enucleation rate was 9.6%. The median length of stay was nine days. Poor initial visual acuity and intraocular foreign bodies were significant predictive factors of poor visual outcome (p <0.05).

Conclusion: Open globe injuries caused visual morbidity especially in young adult male, laborers with low education. Initial visual acuity and intraocular foreign bodies were significant predictive factors of poor visual outcome.