BACKGROUND

The purpose of the study is to identify factors predictive of outcome after open globe injury in 273 patients admitted to the Royal Brisbane Hospital, Queensland, Australia between 1992 and 2003.

METHODS

Data were collected retrospectively regarding demographic and geographical factors, injury circumstances, initial visual acuity (VA), injury parameters, details of initial and subsequent surgery, final best corrected VA and complications. Multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression was utilized to identify which factors were related to outcome.

RESULTS

83% of patients were male, with a mean age of 38.3 years. The mean duration of follow up was 16.6 months and 58% of patients (135 of 231) achieved an overall improvement in their vision. Forty-one cases (15%) were enucleated, with half of these cases performed primarily. The prognostic factors indicating the likelihood of a VA of counting fingers or worse were poor initial VA, a large laceration >10 mm and the presence of a relative afferent pupil defect. Rural patients had a significantly worse final VA than city dwellers and had higher rates of endophthalmitis and enucleation.

CONCLUSIONS

Assessment of prognostic factors at the time of presentation of an open globe injury enables realistic expectations of final visual outcome by the doctor and the patient. In order to improve outcomes in patients from rural areas, access to specialized eye services need to be upgraded.