Ocular trauma in patients with maxillofacial fractures

The purpose of this study was to analyze and evaluate ocular injuries in patients with maxillofacial fractures. Correlation of the ocular injury and patients' age, sex, trauma mechanism, and type of maxillofacial fracture was also investigated.

From January 2000 to December 2009, a total of 1131 patients with facial fractures were registered. The information and data collected and analyzed included the following: age, sex, mechanism of injury, type of facial fracture, type of ocular injury, and the relationship between ocular injury and facial fracture.

Ocular injury (349 injuries) was sustained by 209 patients (18.5%), with a male/female ratio of 5.33:1 (176 males and 33 females). The age range of the patients associated with ocular trauma was 3 to 68 years (mean [SD], 32.40 [11.27] y). Patients aged 30 to 39 years showed the highest risk for ocular trauma (odds ratio [OR], 1.852; P < 0.001). Children showed the lowest risk for ocular injuries (OR, 0.162; P < 0.001). Motor vehicle accidents were the most common mechanism of injury (97 patients, 46.4%). Motor vehicle accidents also had a 2.243-fold risk for ocular trauma (OR, 2.243; P = 0.021). Ocular traumas were more prone to occur in patients who sustained midfacial fractures (OR, 10.232; P < 0.001), especially the patients with multiple midfacial fractures (OR, 12.389; P < 0.001). Fracture of the mandible had the lowest risk for ocular injuries (multimandibular fractures: OR, 0.035, P < 0.001; single mandibular fracture: OR, 0.151; P < 0.001).

The occurrence of ocular injuries was significantly related to sex, age, etiology, as well as the pattern and position of the maxillofacial fractures.