Open Globe Injuries Related to Traffic Accidents: A Retrospective Study

To evaluate epidemiology, clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients sustained traffic-related open globe injury (OGI).

The medical records of all OGI patients who were admitted in a tertiary referral center from January 2006 to December 2016 were retrospectively evaluated. Then, the records of injuries related to traffic accidents were identified and reviewed in detail.

Among the overall causes of OGI, traffic-related accidents comprised 92/978 (9%) of cases. Nearly half of the injuries (51%) occurred in the 20-39-year-old group and 59% involved automobile transportation. Globe rupture occurred in 48 (47%) eyes. Following treatments, LogMAR visual acuity (VA) significantly improved from a median (interquartile range) of 2.3 (1.9-2.3) to 1.7 (0.3-3.0), at the final appointment. Presence of relative afferent pupillary defect and presence of retinal detachment were predictors for poor final visual outcomes.

Traffic-related OGI had a high prevalence in the young. The risky transportation modes were motorcycles in teenagers and automobiles in young adults. Despite treatment, there was a considerable proportion of impaired final VA. This information could help establish effective safety education and encourage regular adherence to road safety behaviors in the high-risk groups.