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Perforating BB gun injuries of the globe
J S Pulido1, S Gupta, J C Folk
1Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, USA.
Ophthalmic Surgery and Lasers
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Aggressive surgical management, including vitrectomy, can preserve vision in eyes with perforating BB gun injuries. Visual acuity alone should not exclude patients from treatment or enucleation.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- BB gun injuries represent a significant cause of ocular trauma.
- Perforating globe injuries require prompt and effective management to preserve vision.
Observation:
- Seven patients with perforating BB gun injuries were reviewed.
- Six patients underwent surgical intervention including scleral buckles, lensectomies, and vitrectomies.
Findings:
- Five patients achieved a final visual acuity of 5/200 or better.
- Posterior perforations involving the macula were linked to poorer outcomes.
- Subretinal blood did not always indicate a poor prognosis in young patients.
Implications:
- Aggressive surgical management, particularly with modern vitrectomy techniques, can lead to favorable visual outcomes in eyes with perforating BB gun injuries.
- Visual acuity at presentation or after initial repair should not be the sole factor in deciding on intervention or enucleation.