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Updated: May 4, 2026
Anterior Segment Organ Culture Platform for Tracking Open Globe Injuries and Therapeutic Performance
Published on: August 25, 2021
Epidemiological and clinical features of paediatric open globe injuries in southwestern Turkey
Hatice Deniz Ilhan1, Ahmet Burak Bilgin1, Aslı Cetinkaya1
1Department of Ophthalmology, Akdeniz University, Antalya 07059, Turkey.
Insights
Pediatric open globe injuries, often caused by sharp metal objects at home or outdoors, impact children
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Open globe injuries represent a significant cause of vision loss in children.
- Understanding the specific epidemiology and clinical features is crucial for prevention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiologic, anatomic, and clinical characteristics of open globe injuries in pediatric patients.
- To identify risk factors and outcomes associated with childhood eye trauma.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of medical records for pediatric patients (<16 years) undergoing surgery for open globe injuries.
- Data collected included demographics, injury circumstances, surgical repair timing, and visual outcomes.
Main Results:
- Ninety pediatric patients were evaluated; males predominated (71.1%).
- Injuries most frequently occurred at home (44.4%), in yards (30%), or streets (23.3%), with sharp metal objects being the primary cause (P<0.001).
- Corneal injury (52.2%) and cataract formation were common; initial visual acuity and wound length significantly predicted final visual acuity (P<0.001).
Conclusions:
- Childhood open globe injuries are frequently associated with environmental factors and specific causative agents like sharp metal objects.
- Early visual acuity and wound characteristics are critical determinants of visual prognosis in pediatric eye trauma.
Aim:
To evaluate the epidemiologic, anatomic, and clinical features of open globe injuries in children.
Methods:
The medical files of patients under the age of 16 who had been operated for an open globe injury at Akdeniz University Hospital's Department of Ophthalmology were retrospectively evaluated.
Results:
A total of 90 patients were evaluated in this study. Among these patients, 26 (28.9%) were female and 64 (71.1%) were male. The mean age of the patients was 7.7±4.2 years. The male/female ratio was observed to increase with increasing age (P=0.006, r=7.48). Injuries were most likely to occur in spring and autumn (P=0.028). The time interval between the injury and the surgical repair was 9.36±27.4h. Forty (44.4%) of the injuries occurred in the home, 27 (30%) occurred in the yard, and 21 (23.3%) happened while playing in the street. The most common causes of injury were sharp metal objects (P<0.001). Injury to the cornea occurred in 47 (52.2%) of the patients (P<0.001). The most common complication to occur was cataract formation. Additional operations were necessary for 37 (41.1%) of the patients. The final visual acuity was correlated with both the initial visual acuity of the wounded eye prior to surgery and the length of the wound (P<0.001, r=0.502 and P<0.001, r=-0.442, respectively).
Conclusion:
Open globe injuries that are suffered in childhood generally occur either at home, in the yard, or on the street, with sharp metal objects being the most common cause of injury. The initial visual acuity and the length of the wound are the most important determinants of the final visual acuity.
