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Updated: May 14, 2026
Anterior Segment Organ Culture Platform for Tracking Open Globe Injuries and Therapeutic Performance
Published on: August 25, 2021
Prediction of visual outcomes after open globe injury in children: a 17-year Canadian experience
Howard Bunting1, Derek Stephens, Kamiar Mireskandari
1The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Canada. hjbunting11@doctors.org.uk
Insights
Pediatric open globe injuries are predicted by ocular trauma scores. Younger children and specific injury types increase the risk of poor visual outcomes, informing prevention strategies.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Trauma
- Public Health
Background:
- Open globe injuries in children represent a significant cause of vision impairment.
- Understanding risk factors and injury patterns is crucial for effective prevention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the predictive accuracy of ocular trauma scoring systems for pediatric open globe injuries.
- To identify risk factors associated with poor visual outcomes.
- To analyze the circumstances surrounding pediatric eye trauma.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records for 131 pediatric patients (<18 years) with open globe injuries (1992-2009).
- Data collected included demographics, injury details, complications, and final visual acuity.
- Injuries were classified using Ocular Trauma Classification Group guidelines.
Main Results:
- 56.5% of patients achieved a final best-corrected visual acuity of ≥20/40 after a mean follow-up of 24.8 months.
- Injuries were more prevalent in boys and children ≤5 years, occurring more often indoors and in the afternoon.
- Risk factors for poor vision (<20/40) included younger age, retrolimbal involvement, longer wound length, globe rupture, vitreous hemorrhage, and retinal detachment.
Conclusions:
- Visual outcomes in this cohort were favorable compared to previous reports.
- Age <5 years is an independent predictor of poorer visual prognosis.
- The ocular trauma score effectively assesses prognosis in pediatric open globe injuries, aiding in prevention strategy development.
Purpose:
To analyze the predictive value of ocular trauma scoring systems for open globe injury in children, to determine risk factors for poor visual outcome, and to assess circumstances under which trauma occurs.
Methods:
The medical records of patients <18 years of age who presented with open globe injuries from January 1992 to December 2009 were examined retrospectively. Information recorded included demographic profile; date, time, and place of injury; cause and extent of injury; complications; and final best-corrected visual acuity. Injuries were classified by Ocular Trauma Classification Group guidelines.
Results:
A total of 131 patients were included. Final best-corrected visual acuity was ≥20/40 in 74 patients (56.5%) after mean follow-up of 24.8 months. Injuries occurred more commonly in boys (98/131), and 45% of injuries occurred in children aged ≤5 years (P = 0.001). Injuries were more common indoors (P = 0.003), in the afternoon (P < 0.001), and on Saturdays and Mondays (P = 0.004). Multiple regression analysis identified risk factors for final best-corrected visual acuity <20/40: age <5 years, injuries with retrolimbal involvement, wound length >5 mm, globe rupture, vitreous hemorrhage, and retinal detachment (P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Visual outcomes after pediatric open globe injury in this study compare favorably to results reported previously. Knowledge of weekly fluctuations in occurrence may help guide development of prevention strategies. Age <5 years is an independent risk factor for a poorer outcome. The ocular trauma score is useful in assessing prognosis after pediatric open globe injury.
