A retrospective analysis of open globe injuries in a tertiary ophthalmological centre in North-East India.

PURPOSE To evaluate the clinical presentations and surgical outcome in patients with open globe injuries in a tertiary ophthalmological centre in North-east India. METHODS Case sheets of 79 patients undergoing surgery following open globe injuries at Sri Sankaradeva Nethralaya, Guwahati were studied retrospectively in terms of the type of injury, surgical interventions and final visual outcome. The period of study was from 1994-2005. RESULTS Injury was mild in 48 (60.8%), moderate in 17 (21.5%) & severe in 14 (17.7%) cases (International Ocular Trauma Classification). 46 (58.2%) cases had only primary repair, 27 (34.2%) had associated lens extraction, 12 (15.2%) had vitrectomy, 2 (2.5%) had retinal detachment surgery, one (1.3%) had intra-ocular foreign body removal, one (1.3%) evisceration.13 (16.5%) cases underwent secondary procedures. Final vision was 6\18 or better in 20 (25.3%), 6\18-6\60 in 14 (17.7%) and <6\60 in 15 (18.9%) cases. 10 (12.7%) cases developed phthisical changes. CONCLUSION Present analysis reveals that open globe injuries can present in varying severity & though the overall prognosis is grave, prompt surgical intervention can result in better visual outcome.