Optimal timing of vitrectomy for severe mechanical ocular trauma: A retrospective observational study

Mechanical ocular trauma could lead to disastrous visual outcomes. There has been a controversy regarding the timing of vitrectomy for such cases. This study aimed to find out the optimal timing of vitrectomy for severe mechanical ocular trauma. Patients with severe mechanical ocular trauma who had undergone vitrectomy were enrolled and followed up for at least 6 months. Clinical data were collected including ocular trauma score (OTS), the timing of vitrectomy upon injury, visual acuity, vitrectomy results, post-operation complications and etc. All cases were classified according to the timing of vitrectomy upon injury into 3 groups: group A 1-7 days, group B 8-14 days, group C more than 14 days. A total of 62 cases were enrolled, including 20 eyes in group A, 25 eyes in group B, and 17 eyes in group C. No significant differences were shown of the gender, age or OTS among the 3 groups. Both functional success rate and visual outcome were optimal in group B, then in group A, and worst in group C. These results suggested that the best timing of vitrectomy for severe mechanical ocular trauma is 8-14 days upon injury; second best is 1-7 days; worst is after 14 days.