Vitrectomy for double penetrating ocular injuries.

During the five-year period from 1977 to 1982, 15 consecutive patients with double penetrating ocular injuries were treated at the University of Minnesota. The 13 males and two females ranged in age from 5 to 38 years. Four patients had bilateral involvement. Vitrectomy techniques were used to stabilize the eyes and prevent or treat retinal detachment in 18 eyes. One eye was enucleated. Anatomic success was achieved in 11 eyes and visual success (visual acuity of 5/200 or better) in ten eyes. Surgical success was related to initial visual acuity, extent of vitreous hemorrhage, and the ability of the surgeon to excise completely the vitreous from the circumference of the exit wound.