Open Globe Injuries: Review of Evaluation, Management, and Surgical Pearls

Ocular trauma may either be closed globe or open globe. Open globe injuries are full-thickness defects of the eyewall and are often differentiated by the mechanisms of injury from which they are caused: sharp or blunt trauma. They are ocular emergencies and can lead to substantial visual morbidity. Without timely intervention, damage is irreversible and leads to permanent vision loss. The goals of evaluation are to identify the mechanism of injury, characterize the extent of injury, and gather relevant history. If an open globe is suspected, ophthalmologic consultation should be requested. Once an open globe is diagnosed, preparations for surgery should be made immediately and steps should be taken to avoid further injury. Intraocular infection risk is relatively high, requiring immediate empiric systemic antibiotics. Emergent surgical exploration and primary closure is indicated whenever possible. After initial closure, secondary surgery and revision may be needed to improve vision outcomes, followed by extensive follow-up. In this review, best practices for evaluation and management are reviewed, with particular focus on the surgical approach and techniques.