Orbital and adnexal trauma associated with open-globe injuries

To describe the incidence and patterns of orbital and adnexal injuries in patients with open-globe injuries.

Charts of 300 consecutive patients with open-globe injuries presenting to the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary were retrospectively reviewed. The data were analyzed with respect to the type of open globe (penetrating, perforating, or rupture) and location (zone) of globe injury. Each of these subgroups was then evaluated for the absence (group 1) or presence (group 2) of coexisting orbital and/or adnexal injury. Visual acuity at presentation was compared between the two groups.

Orbital and adnexal injuries were present in 25.7% of patients with open globes. The most common concurrent injuries were lacerations of the eyelid, orbital fracture, and retrobulbar hemorrhage. The mechanisms of globe injury differed significantly between groups 1 and 2. Penetrating injuries accounted for 82.1% of group 1 but only 49.3% of group 2 patients, whereas rupture occurred more frequently in group 2 (48.1%) than in group 1 (17.0%) patients. Orbital and adnexal injuries were associated with poorer visual acuity at presentation, probably because of the high incidence of posterior globe injuries in these patients.

Orbital and adnexal injuries were observed in 25.7% of patients who sustained trauma that resulted in open globes. Concurrent injury to these extraocular structures is associated with worse visual acuity at presentation and an increased likelihood of posterior globe injuries.