Risk Factors for Failure of Final Anatomic Surgical Reattachment in Retinal Detachments From Combat Ocular Trauma.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The goal of this study was to determine the anatomic outcome of traumatic retinal detachment (RD) from combat ocular trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients sustaining a traumatic RD in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom who were evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center from 2001 to 2011. The Fisher exact test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and Agresti and Coull methods were used for analyses. RESULTS: There were 143 eyes of 134 patients in which a traumatic RD developed, of a total of 890 eyes of 652 patients in the Walter Reed Ocular Trauma Database. Based on our results, predictors for failure to reattach the retina include maculaoff status (P = .0002), open-globe injury (P = .03), proliferative vitreoretinopathy postoperatively (P = .002), and presence of hyphema (P = .02). Intraocular foreign body and time to initial retinal surgery did not increase risk for failure. Thirty-four percent (34%) of eyes failed to be reattached. CONCLUSIONS: Traumatic RD due to injury sustained in a combat zone resulted in poor prognosis, with 82.09% of eyes with RD having a best-corrected visual acuity worse than 20/200. The anatomic success of RD repair was shown to be 65.71%, likely owing to the severity of the injuries, concomitant systemic injuries, and delayed surgical intervention. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2022;53:493-501.].

POSTERIOR SEGMENT INJURIES IN OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM AND OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM: 2001 to 2011.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: To characterize the nature of posterior segment ocular injuries in combat trauma. METHODS: Eyes in the Walter Reed Ocular Trauma Database were evaluated for the presence of posterior segment injury. Final visual outcomes in open-globe versus closed-globe injuries and by zone of injury and the types of posterior segment injuries in open-globe versus closed-globe injuries were assessed. RESULTS: Four hundred fifty-two of 890 eyes (50.8%) had at least one posterior segment injury. The mechanism of injury was most commonly an improvised explosive device in 280 (62.0%) eyes. Sixty-one patients (13.5%) had a Zone I injury, 50 (11.1%) a Zone II injury, and 341 (75.4%) a Zone III injury. Patients with Zone I injuries were more likely to have a final visual acuity of 20/200 or better compared with patients with either a Zone II (P < 0.001) or Zone III injury (P = 0.007). Eyes with a closed-globe injury were more likely to have a final visual acuity of 20/200 or better compared with those with an open-globe injury (P < 0.001). Furthermore, closed-globe injury compared with open-globe injury had a lower risk of vitreous hemorrhage (odds ratio 0.32, P < 0.001), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (odds ratio 0.14, P < 0.001), and retinal detachment (odds ratio 0.18, P < 0.001) but a higher risk of chorioretinal rupture (odds ratio 2.82, P < 0.001) and macular hole (odds ratio 3.46, P = 0.004). CONCLUSION: Patients with combat ophthalmic trauma had similar posterior segment injury patterns to civilian trauma in open-globe versus closed-globe injuries. Zone II and III injuries were associated with a worse visual prognosis.

Open-globe wounds in operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom: risk factors for poor visual outcomes and enucleation.

PURPOSE: To determine the rates and types of open-globe wounds in soldiers admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center from 2001 to 2011 after sustaining combat injuries. METHODS: Data were collected in the Walter Reed Ocular Trauma Database. Inclusion criteria were patients who suffered open-globe injuries. Open-globe injuries were classified by type of wound: corneal, corneo-scleral or scleral, or type of open-globe injury: perforating, rupture, penetrating or intraocular foreign body. The primary analysis assessed the effect on final visual acuity (VA) and the risk of enucleation. RESULTS: In this study, 285 (32.02%) open-globe injuries were recorded in 890 eyes in the data set. Corneal wounds were noted in 127 (44.56%) eyes, corneo-scleral wounds in 78 (27.37%) and scleral wounds in 129 (45.26%) eyes. The involvement of both the corneal and sclera was associated with poorer visual outcome (BCVA < 20/200) compared to injuries with an injury confined to either the cornea or scleral alone (p = 0.038). At a wound length of greater than approximately 14 mm, patients had 75% chance of having a poor final VA. Enucleation was performed in 64 (22.46%) eyes of patients with wounds. The type of wound was not found to be predictive of enucleation in multivariate analysis, but rather the type of open-globe injury was predictive. Perforating (OR: 1.58, 95% CI: 1.43-1.72) and globe rupture injuries (OR: 1.49, 95% CI: 1.33-1.66) were more likely to undergo enucleation. CONCLUSIONS: Open-globe injuries occur frequently in combat ocular trauma. Poor final VA was noted most with corneo-scleral wounds with approximately 50% of patients having a final VA less than 20/200.

Ocular Trauma in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom from 2001 to 2011: A Bayesian Network Analysis.

PURPOSE: To update the epidemiology of ocular injuries in soldiers admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) from 2001 to 2011 after sustaining combat injuries in Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). METHODS: Data were collected in the Walter Reed Ocular Trauma Database. A Bayesian Network Analysis was completed to better understand the relationships between different ocular demographic variables, injuries, surgeries, ocular trauma scores (OTS) and visual outcomes. RESULTS: There were 890 consecutive globe or adnexal combat injuries, or both, sustained by 652 United States soldiers treated at WRAMC between 2001 and 2011.The primary mechanism of injury was improvised explosive device (62.47%). Many patients (62.0%) had final visual acuity (VA) grades of 1-2 (20/15 - 20/200), while 29.9% of patients had final VA grades of 3-5 (less than 20/200), and 8.1% had unknown final VA grades. Bayesian Network Analysis revealed that the injury variables of Retina (47.9%), Lens (44.6%), Posterior Segment (43.7%) and Anterior Segment (40.3%), and the surgical variables of Enucleation (97.6%) and cataract extraction and posterior capsule intraocular lens placement (CEPCIOL; 43.3%) all had probabilities greater than 40% for a poor final VA, while all other variables were less than 40%. CONCLUSION: Modern-day combat trauma results in complicated ocular injuries causing 30% of patients to be left legally blind in their injured eye. It is critical to maintain a wide variety of deployable, specialty trained ophthalmologists to ensure the best visual outcomes for wounded warriors and to maintain mission readiness.

Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy After Combat Ocular Trauma in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom: 2001-2011.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To determine the risk factors associated with developing proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) from combat ocular injuries in U.S. service members. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of associated risk factors and outcomes of PVR within the Walter Reed Ocular Trauma Database. Ocular injuries in U.S. service members wounded during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2001 to 2011 were assessed, and of these all cases of PVR were studied. Principal outcome measures were the risk factors associated with PVR development and rate of final visual acuity (VA) less than 20/200. RESULTS: Eight hundred ninety eyes of 651 U.S. service members were evaluated. A total of 76 eyes (8.5%) of 66 patients developed PVR. Five patients had bilateral PVR. Nineteen patients had bilateral eye injuries. Sixty-one eyes (80.2%) had a final VA less than 20/200. PVR was found to be a significant risk factor for a poor final VA (P < .001). Retinal detachment (RD) was found in 52 eyes (68.4%) of patients. In patients with a RD, intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) (P < .001), unsuccessful repair (P = .002), and macular hemorrhage (P = .04) were significant risk factors for the development of PVR. Time to initial retina surgery was not found to be a risk factor for PVR development (P = .5). Time to initial retina surgery was available in 41 patients and the time to surgery on average was 22.56 days (range: 3 to 87 days). CONCLUSIONS: PVR occurs frequently in combat trauma and is a significant cause of poor final VA. In patients with PVR and RD, injuries caused by an IOFB, macular hemorrhage, or unsuccessful repair were significant risk factors for the development of PVR. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2020;51:556-563.].

Neuro-Ophthalmic Injuries With Systemic Neurologic Injury or Traumatic Brain Injury in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the final visual acuity (VA) of neuro-ophthalmologic injuries (NOI) in combat ocular trauma and to study the association of NOI with systemic neurologic injury (SNI) and traumatic brain injury (TBI). METHODS: The Walter Reed Ocular Trauma Database was reviewed. Inclusion criteria were any US service member and Department of Defense civilians who suffered NOI, SNI, or TBI in Operation Iraqi Freedom or Operation Enduring Freedom. The primary outcome measure was the rate of poor final VA in patients with an NOI with secondary outcome measures the rate of SNI and TBI. in patients with NOI. RESULTS: One hundred seventy-eight (20.00%) of 890 eyes had an NOI. Optic nerve injury was observed in 79 (44.38%) eyes, other cranial nerve injury in 68 (38.20%), Horner syndrome in 4 (2.25%), diplopia in 45 (25.28%), and ptosis in 13 (7.30%). In patients with NOI, 76 (42.69%) eyes had a final VA less than 20/200. In injured eyes (n = 359) of patients (n = 251) with TBI, 154 eyes (34.26%) had a final VA less than 20/200. In multivariate analysis, optic nerve injury (P < 0.001), unlike TBI (P = 0.47), was associated with final VA less than 20/200. SNI (n = 229) had a statistically significant association (odds ratio 29.8, 95% confidence interval 19.2-47.8, P < 0.001) with NOI. Optic nerve injury and cranial nerve injury were associated with TBI and SNI (all, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Optic nerve injury and cranial nerve injury are associated with TBI and SNI. Optic nerve injury, but not TBI or cranial nerve injury, is associated with a poor final VA.

Orbital Fractures and Associated Ocular Injuries in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom Referred to a Tertiary Care Military Hospital and the Effect on Final Visual Acuity.

PURPOSE: To update the incidence of orbital fractures in U.S. Soldiers admitted to the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center from 2001 to 2011 after sustaining combat injuries in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. METHODS: Data were collected in the Walter Reed Ocular Trauma Database. Inclusion criteria were any U.S. Soldier or Department of Defense civilian with an orbital fracture injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. Primary outcome measures were final visual acuity and the effect of orbital fracture, number of fractures, and anatomic location of fracture on final visual acuity. RESULTS: Eight-hundred ninety eye injuries occurred in 652 patients evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center between 2001 and 2011. Orbital fractures occurred in 304 eyes (34.2%). A single wall was fractured in 140 eyes (46.05%), 2 in 99 (32.6%) eyes, 3 in 31 (10.2%), 4 in 28 (9.2%), and unknown in 6 (1.9%) eyes. Roof fractures were found in 74 (24.34%), medial wall in 135 (44.41%), lateral wall in 109 (35.9%), and floor fractures in 217 (71.4%). Final visual acuity was analyzed and 140 (46.05%) eyes had greater than 20/40 vision, 17 (5.59%) were 20/50 to 20/200, 26 (8.5%) were count fingers to light perception, and 95 (31.3%) were no light perception. In logistic regression analysis, roof (p = 0.001), medial (p = 0.009), and lateral fractures (p = 0.016) were significantly associated with final visual acuity less than 20/200, while floor fractures were not (p = 0.874). Orbital fracture and all fracture subtypes were significantly associated with traumatic brain injury, retrobulbar hematoma, optic nerve injury, but not for vitreous hemorrhage, commotio, hyphema, and choroidal rupture. Fracture repair was noted in 45 (14.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Orbital fractures occurred in a third of Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom eyes of ocular trauma patients referred to one tertiary care military hospital. This resulted in approximately 40% of these eyes remaining legally blind after injury.Orbital fractures occur commonly during combat trauma and a significant number are legally blind despite appropriate treatment.

Hyphema in Open-Globe Versus Closed-Globe Injuries in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom: 2001-2011.

INTRODUCTION: The goal of this study is to update the incidence of hyphema in Operation Iraqi (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF). We wanted to assess associated ocular injuries and final visual acuity (VA) in open-globe versus closed-globe injuries with a hyphema. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of the Walter Reed Ocular Trauma Database (WRTOD) to identify U.S. Service members and DoD civilians with hyphema who were evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center between 2001 and 2011. Primary outcome measures were the final VA and differences in concomitant ocular injuries in open-globe hyphema and closed-globe hyphema. RESULTS: 168 of 890 eyes (18.9%) in the WROTD had a hyphema. Closed-globe injuries were noted in 64 (38.1%) eyes and open-globe injuries in 104 (61.9%) eyes. A final VA of less than 20/200 was noted in 88 eyes (51.8%). Eyes with hyphema were more likely to have traumatic cataract formation (odds ratio (OR) 6.2, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4.2-9.2, P < 0.001), retinal detachment (OR 4.2, CI 2.8-6.4, P < 0.001), angle recession (OR 8.1, CI 2.9-24.3, P < 0.001), and final VA of less than 20/200 (OR 3.7, CI 2.6-5.4, P < 0.001). Traumatic cataract formation (OR 7.4, CI 2.9-18.7, P < 0.001), retinal detachment (OR 6.1, CI 2.1-17.5, P < 0.001), and a final VA less than 20/200 (OR 6.1, CI 2.4-15.4 P < 0.001) were statistically more likely to occur with an open-globe hyphema than with a closed-globe hyphema. CONCLUSIONS: Close follow-up in patients with hyphema is important due to the associated development of traumatic cataract and retinal detachment and poor final visual outcome.

Enucleations and Eviscerations for Combat Ocular Trauma Performed During Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom: 2001 to 2011.

PURPOSE: To describe the demographics and clinical outcomes of patients who underwent posttraumatic enucleation or evisceration during Operations Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Enduring Freedom (OEF) from 2001 to 2011. METHODS: The Walter Reed Ocular Trauma Database is a retrospective case series of US Servicemembers and Department of Defense civilians who had combat ocular injuries in OIF and OEF. Data regarding posttraumatic enucleations and eviscerations performed during OIF and OEF were extracted. The main outcomes analyzed were the number of enucleations and eviscerations performed, location of the surgery, laterality, and graft type. The secondary outcome measures included: mechanism of injury and Ocular Trauma Score classification. RESULTS: One hundred nine enucleations and eviscerations were performed on the 890 eyes (12.24%). Sixty-three (57.80%) primary enucleations, 36 (33.03%) secondary enucleations, 5 (4.59%) postretinal detachment repair enucleations, and 5 (4.59%) primary eviscerations were completed. The surgeries were completed at a combat support hospital (57; 52.3%), or Walter Reed Army Medical Center (49; 45.0%). All surgeries were unilateral except in 2 patients. The most common graft type used was silicone (n = 56; 51.38%). Improvised explosive devices caused 76 (69.72%) eye injuries. Ocular Trauma Score were recorded as 56 (51.38%) between 0 and 44, 44 (40.37%) between 45 and 65, and unknown in 9 (8.26%). CONCLUSION: Posttraumatic enucleation or evisceration due to devastating ocular trauma is required in about 15% of ophthalmic patients in modern combat trauma. The psychosocial impact on veterans who have required an enucleation or evisceration from combat trauma has been poorly studied and requires further review.

Lateral Canthotomy and Cantholysis in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom: 2001-2011.

PURPOSE: To describe outcomes and associated ocular injuries of lateral canthotomy and cantholysis (LCC) as performed in combat ocular trauma. METHODS: Data from the Walter Reed Ocular Trauma Database of patients requiring LCC during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom was reviewed as a retrospective cohort. Primary outcome measures included final visual acuity (VA) and Ocular Trauma Score. Secondary outcome measures were associated injuries and timing of surgery. RESULTS: Thirty-six LCCs were recorded on a total of 890 eyes (4.04 %) in the Walter Reed Ocular Trauma Database. Eighteen out of 36 eyes (50.00%) had a final VA of the affected eye of 20/200 or worse vision. From the initial available VA measured either at the time of injury or at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, 13 eyes (40.63%) had no change in VA, 15 eyes (46.88%) had improvement, and 4 (12.5%) had a decrease in VA (n = 32, data unavailable for 4 eyes). Ocular Trauma score 0-65 was noted in 14 (38.9%) and 66-100 (61.1%). Retinal detachment (6, 16.67%), optic nerve injuries (7, 19.44%), orbital fractures (20, 55.56%), and retrobulbar hematoma (25, 69.44%) were commonly associated injuries. Of the 36 LCC, 18 (50.00%) were performed as the first surgery performed at the combat support hospital, 13 (36.11%) as the second, 4 (11.11%) as the third, and 1 (2.78%) as the fourth. CONCLUSIONS: The largest subgroup of patients had an improvement in VA associated with performance of LCC; however, half of patients remained with a final VA of equal to or worse than 20/200 due to severe ocular trauma.

Intraocular Foreign Body Trauma in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom: 2001 to 2011.

PURPOSE: We update the incidence of intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) in soldiers admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center from 2001 to 2011 after sustaining combat injuries in Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. DESIGN: This consecutive retrospective case series included 890 eyes of 652 patients. METHODS: Data were collected in the Walter Reed Ocular Trauma Database. Inclusion criteria were any American soldier or Department of Defense civilian with an IOFB injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom. Closed globe injuries with orbital foreign bodies, injury outside of a combat zone, or non-Department of Defense civilian trauma were the exclusion criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures were final visual outcome and the number, size, and location of IOFBs. Secondary outcome measures included surgical procedures, use of eye protection, associated complications, source of injury and Ocular Trauma Score. RESULTS: There were 890 eye injuries in 652 patients evacuated to Walter Reed Army Medical Center between 2001 and 2011. IOFBs were found in 166 eyes of 149 patients (18.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 16.2%-21.3%). Most patients had a single IOFB (80.7%). An IOFB was positively associated with Ocular Trauma Score grade 1 or 2 (0-65) injuries (odds ratio [OR], 1.58; 95% CI, 1.07-2.38; P = 0.01). There were 130 eyes (78.33%) that had recorded time from initial visual acuity to final visual acuity and it ranged from 8 to 2421 days (mean, 433.24 days). Thirty-eight (25.16%; 95% CI, 18.89%-32.67%) eyes had no change in visual acuity, 98 (64.90%; 95% CI, 57.00%-72.07%) had improved visual acuity, and 15 (9.93%; 95% CI, 6.01%-15.84%) had decreased visual acuity. IOFB was not found to predict final visual acuity of <20/200 in multivariate analysis when other injury features were known (P = 0.1). Pars plana vitrectomy was completed on 124 eyes (74.70%). Removal of IOFB was performed in 118 eyes (71.08%; average of 31.67 days after initial injury) with a delayed procedure occurring after primary closure and antibiotics owing to a lack of surgical capacity in Iraq and Afghanistan. Retinal detachment occurred in 48 eyes (28.92%) and proliferative vitreoretinopathy in 44 eyes (26.5%). CONCLUSIONS: IOFBs occur frequently in combat ocular trauma and are significantly associated with more severe injuries. However, IOFBs were not found to be a significant risk factor for visual acuity of <20/200.

Culture-Positive Endophthalmitis After Open Globe Injuries With and Without Retained Intraocular Foreign Bodies.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To report the visual and anatomical outcomes and microbiologic spectrum of culture-positive endophthalmitis in open globe injuries (OGIs) with or without intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs). PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective, interventional case series of OGIs (n = 718) treated between 2004 and 2015. Patients underwent a management protocol for OGI, including systemic broad-spectrum antibiotics, on presentation. RESULTS: Culture-positive cases of endophthalmitis after open globe repair occurred in 2.1% of eyes (n = 15 of 718 eyes); two eyes had evidence of endophthalmitis on presentation. The most common organism was Staphylococcus species (five of 17 eyes). An IOFB was present in 6.8% of eyes (n = 49 of 718 eyes). All of these eyes received prophylactic intravitreal antimicrobials. In eyes with IOFB, the rate of culture-positive endophthalmitis after initial globe repair was 8.1% (n = 4 of 49 eyes) versus 1.6% (n = 11 of 669 eyes) in eyes without IOFB (P < .01). CONCLUSION: Culture-positive endophthalmitis was identified after OGIs more often in eyes with a concurrent IOFB. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2017;48:632-637.].

Corneal and Corneoscleral Injury in Combat Ocular Trauma from Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the incidence and the etiology of corneal and corneoscleral injuries in the setting of combat ocular trauma, and to determine what effect these injuries have on overall visual impairment from combat ocular trauma. METHODS: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series, analyzing U.S. service members who were evacuated to the former Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC). Primary outcome measures were types of corneal injuries, length of follow-up at WRAMC, globe survival, and anatomical causes of blindness. Secondary outcome measures included surgical procedures performed, use of eye protection, source of injury, and visual outcomes. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2011, there were 184 eyes of 134 patients with corneal or corneoscleral injuries. The average age was 26 years (range, 18-50); 99.3% were male, 31.9% had documented use of eye protection. The average follow-up was 428.2 days (3-2,421). There were 98 right-eye and 86 left-eye injuries. There were 169 open-globe and 15 closed-globe injuries with corneal lacerations occurring in 73 eyes with injuries to Zone I. Most injuries were attributable to an intraocular foreign body (IOFB; 48%), followed by penetrating (19.6%) and perforating (16.3%) injuries. The most common presenting visual acuity was hand motion/light perception (45.7%), yet, at the end of the study, visual acuity improved to 20/40 or better (40.8%). The majority of injuries in eyes with visual acuity worse than 20/200 involved the cornea and retina (58%). Injuries solely to the cornea accounted for only 19% of all injuries sustained. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular injuries in military combat have led to significant damage to ocular structures with a wide range of visual outcomes. The authors describe corneal and corneoscleral injuries in combat ocular trauma by classifying injuries by the anatomical site involved and identifying the main source of decreased visual acuity. In combat ocular trauma, corneal or corneoscleral injuries are not the sole etiology for poor vision. A cohesive approach among multiple ophthalmic subspecialties is needed when treating combat ocular trauma.

Self-Reported Visual Quality of Life After Combat Ocular Trauma.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the visual outlook and quality of life of service members after combat ocular trauma. METHODS: In a single-center, prospective observational study of service members sustaining ocular trauma, participants underwent a series of ocular examinations and noninvasive tests, including the National Eye Institute Visual Functioning Questionnaire (VFQ-25). RESULTS: Of the 165 enrolled participants, 137 completed the VFQ-25. The mean VFQ-25 composite score was 74.4 ± 20.7 (range: 1.4-100). Among 118 participants with visual acuity assessment, 92% had best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/20 or better in at least one eye. Among participants with severe vision loss (BCVA ≤20/200), there was no statistically significant difference in self-reported general health compared to those without severe vision loss (p = 0.17). However, there was a significantly lower visual quality of life reported in the composite score and all of the 11 subscales of the VFQ-25. CONCLUSIONS: While this study provides evidence that combat ocular trauma is associated with a lower visual quality of life, limitations include the relatively small sample size and the limited documentation of the use of eye protection at time of injury among participants.

Traumatic cataracts secondary to combat ocular trauma.

PURPOSE: To describe the characteristics, visual outcomes, and predictive value of the Ocular Trauma Score (OTS) in eyes with traumatic cataract from combat ocular trauma. SETTING: Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, DC, USA. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. METHODS: Records of service members with traumatic cataract from combat ocular trauma over a 7-year period were reviewed. Visual acuity at initial presentation and visual acuity at the final follow-up were compared in addition to outcomes in closed versus open globes, by final lens status, and in eyes receiving primary versus secondary intraocular lenses (IOLs). Visual outcomes were predicted using the OTS and compared to the achieved corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA). RESULTS: A total of 181 eyes of 167 patients were included in the final analysis. Twenty-six percent of all eye injuries sustained traumatic cataract. The mean final visual outcome was 0.86 logMAR ± 1.01 (SD) with 44 no light perception (NLP) eyes and 26 light perception (LP) eyes compared with an initial visual acuity of 2.41 ± 0.88 logMAR with 27 no NLP eyes and 64 LP eyes (P ≤ .001, 2-tailed Student t test). Final CDVAs in eyes receiving primary IOLs were 0.72 ± 0.84 logMAR with 1 NLP and 1 LP eye versus 0.51 ± 0.78 logMAR with 2 LP eyes in eyes receiving a secondary IOL (P = .37, Student t test). CONCLUSION: Traumatic cataracts are frequently associated with ocular trauma. The OTS is a reliable means of predicting visual outcome. There was no difference in eyes receiving primary IOLs versus secondary IOLs. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE: No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

Causes of combat ocular trauma-related blindness from Operation Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of eye injuries in military service members is high in the combat setting. This is the first study that identifies the primary reason for poor visual acuity (worse than 20/200). METHODS: This is a retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series analyzing US Operation Iraqi and Enduring Freedom members who were evacuated from the theater of operations to Walter Reed Army Medical Center from 2001 through 2011. Primary outcome measures were the length of follow-up, globe survival, and anatomic causes of blindness. Secondary outcome measures included surgical procedures performed, use of eye protection, nonocular injuries, incidence of traumatic brain injury, source of injury, visual outcomes, and predictability of Ocular Trauma Score (OTS) on visual outcome. Univariate analysis was performed using χ and Fisher's exact test. A p < 0.01 was considered significant because of the multiple hypotheses tested. RESULTS: There were 265 eyes of 239 patients who had final best-corrected visual acuity of worse than 20/200. The average age was 27.4 years (range, 19-53 years). Of the patients, 97.5% were male, and 28.9% had documented use of eye protection. The average follow-up was 350.19 days (range, 3-2,421 days). There were 128 right-eye and 133 left-eye injuries, with a total of 26 bilateral injuries. There were 206 open-globe and 56 closed-globe injuries, which were further subdivided into zones. Open-globe Zone III injuries (81.6%) were the number one cause of blindness, and most injuries were caused by improvised explosive devices (64.2%). Enucleation was the most common surgery performed (40.6%) and therefore the leading cause of blindness, followed by a multifactorial cause and direct traumatic optic neuropathy. CONCLUSION: Ocular trauma is common among combat injuries. Close to a third of service members that experience an ocular trauma become legally blind. Further research is needed to focus on strategies to prevent injury and improve visual outcomes. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic/epidemiologic study, level V.

Epiretinal membrane and cystoid macular edema after retinal detachment repair with small-gauge pars plana vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the incidence rates of cystoid macular edema (CME) and epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation after uncomplicated primary 23-G and 25-G retinal detachment (RD) repair and to identify risk factors associated with postoperative CME and ERM formation. METHODS: This was a consecutive interventional case series of 587 eyes that underwent one RD repair with 23-G or 25-G pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with scleral buckling. Epiretinal membrane and CME were confirmed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography (FA). RESULTS: A total of 587 eyes with a mean follow-up of 404 days had incidence rates of 35.1% for ERM and 15.2% for CME. The incidence of ERM after combined PPV and scleral buckling (48.4%) (n = 61) was greater (p<0.0001) compared to that after PPV alone (31.2%) (n = 144). CONCLUSIONS: Epiretinal membrane and CME develop frequently after small-gauge RD repair. Pars plana vitrectomy combined with scleral buckling is associated with a higher incidence of ERM. Patients might benefit from increased use of OCT and FA to help rule out CME/ERM.

Epiretinal membrane peeling after uncomplicated primary retinal detachment repair.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To identify rates and potential risk factors for epiretinal membrane (ERM) and for membrane peel (MP) after 23- or 25-gauge repair and to compare outcomes for eyes with ERM that underwent MP versus observation. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Review of 587 eyes with ERM after retinal detachment repair. Patients who developed ERM either underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and MP or were observed. RESULTS: Preoperatively, the PPV and MP group had a mean best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of 20/100, compared to 20/40 for the observation group (P < .001). The PPV and MP group had a higher mean central subfield mean thickness (CSMT) (414 µm vs 281 µm). In the PPV and MP group, mean BCVA was 20/100 preoperatively and 20/50 postoperatively (P < .01). Mean CSMT was 397.5 µm preoperatively and 282.6 µm postoperatively (P < .01). CONCLUSION: ERM is common after 23- or 25-gauge PPV. PPV and MP can improve BCVA and decrease CSMT.

Same-day versus delayed vitrectomy with lensectomy for the management of retained lens fragments.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether performing same-day pars plana vitrectomy versus delayed pars plana vitrectomy affects visual outcomes and ocular morbidity of patients with retained lens fragments after a complicated cataract surgery. METHODS: Retrospective, comparative case series of 172 eyes of 171 patients with retained lens fragments undergoing 3-port pars plana vitrectomy using 20-, 23-, or 25-gauge instrumentation between 2005 and 2008. Outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity at 6 months, final best-corrected visual acuity, and postoperative complications such as cystoid macular edema, intraocular pressure elevation, retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, choroidal hemorrhage, and endophthalmitis. RESULTS: The median age was 75 ± 0.8 years. The mean time to vitrectomy for the delayed group was 15 ± 2 days. The preoperative logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity for immediate vitrectomy was 0.73 ± 0.09 versus 0.72 ± 0.06 for delayed vitrectomy. Six-month logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution acuity was 0.44 ± 0.09 for same-day vitrectomy compared with 0.44 ± 0.05 for delayed vitrectomy (P = 0.97, 2-tailed t-test). Of 59 eyes undergoing immediate vitrectomy, 17 (29%) experienced postoperative complications, while 38 of 113 eyes (34%), experienced complications if undergoing delayed vitrectomy (Fisher exact test, P = 0.61). Overall, the most common complication was cystoid macular edema occurring in 25 of 172 eyes (15%). CONCLUSION: The outcomes of same-day pars plana vitrectomy appear to be similar to non-same-day pars plana vitrectomy. The risks and benefits related to the timing of vitrectomy after a complicated cataract surgery should be carefully discussed with each patient. Further investigation is warranted to establish an optimal time for surgical planning.