[Primary wound closure after eye injuries. An analysis of 100 cases (author's transl)]

Penetrating eye injuries occur frequently during children's games or in the household, are caused by road accidents or at work. Of a series of 100 consecutive primary wound repairs 89% were perforation and 11% ruptures of the globe. In 53% of the analyzed injuries the wound was limited to the cornea, in 29% to the sclera and in 18% there was a combined corneoscleral wound. The lens and the vitreous were injured in one-third of the cases. The aim of the primary repair in penetrating injuries of the anterior segment is a watertight wound closure and the reconstitution of the anterior chamber. Intraocular foreign bodies are extracted in an atraumatic manner after exact localization. In extensive injuries of the posterior segment an adequate retinal detachment prophylaxis is part of the primary wound repair. The final result after rupture of the globe is rather unsatisfactory. The result in penetrating injuries is better and depends on the extent of the changes of the bulbar wall and the involvement of the intraocular structures. In the treatment of eyes with penetrating injuries the functional results are good in about 30%.