Open globe injuries: clinical features and risk factors at a tertiary hospital in Vietnam

To characterize the clinical features of open globe injury (OGI) in Vietnam and to identify risk factors associated with evisceration STUDY DESIGN: Prospective observational study METHODS: Ninety-two patients with OGI who presented to Cho Ray Hospital from August 2024 to May 2025 were prospectively enrolled. The demographic and clinical data were collected at presentation. Multivariable Firth logistic regression was used to identify independent predictors of evisceration.

The majority of the patients were male, 78.3%, with a mean age of 39.5 years. Road traffic accidents were the most common cause of OGI. In those aged younger than 20 years, explosions were most frequent, whereas domestic incidents were more common in those aged older than 40 years. More than half of the eyes presented with no light perception. Evisceration was performed in 16.3% of the eyes. On multivariable analysis, zone III injury was associated with higher odds of evisceration (aOR 8.46, 95% CI 2.02-51.8), and increasing age was also associated with OGI (aOR per year 1.05, 95% CI 1.01-1.10). Trauma type, mechanism, and eyelid laceration were not associated with OGI.

OGIs in Vietnam predominantly affect working-age males and are often caused by high-energy trauma such as motorcycle crashes and workplace incidents. Whilst the injuries were often severe, most eyes were anatomically salvaged. Zone III injury and older age were associated with increased risk of evisceration. These findings support the need for targeted prevention efforts and improved access to specialized eye trauma care in similar settings.