Ocular Trauma Characterization in a Reference Emergency Eye Centre in Colombia (FOSCAL).

BACKGROUND: Ocular trauma is one of the most important causes of ocular morbidity and inadequate visual acuity in developed and developing countries. In some countries, eye trauma is the leading cause of monocular blindness. Studies conducted in developing countries like Colombia suggest that there is a lack of awareness of preventive measures. In Colombia, there is no countrywide ocular trauma registry. The purpose of the present study is to describe and analyse characteristics of ocular trauma at a tertiary ophthalmology emergency department in Colombia. PATIENTS/METHODS AND MATERIAL: Patients who consulted or were referred to the ophthalmologic emergency department of FOSCAL due to eye injuries between March 1, 2022, and January 10, 2023, were included in this cross-sectional study. RESULTS: Of 1 957 patients, 2 088 eyes were included. Men comprised 78.5% of the patients, the median age was 36 years, and 75.0% lived in urban areas. The median latency between trauma and ophthalmology consultation was 21.8 hours. Of the eyes, 1 805 (88.4%) had suffered mechanical or mixed (mechanical plus burn) trauma. Of the injuries, 87.5% were unilateral. In terms of the circumstances, 45.9% of injuries occurred during working or educational activities (in 85.6% of these cases, without eye protection), 28.2% in home accidents, and 14.0% in transportation situations. According to the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology System (BETT), 1 735 eyes (91.1%) were closed globe injuries, and 49 eyes (2.7%) were open globe injuries. Fifty eyes (2.8%) could not be categorised according to BETT at the initial consultation and were classified as "still to be determined". In the Ocular Trauma Score (OTS), 85.8% were category 5. Of the ocular burn cases, 93.0% were categorised as grade I according to the Roper Hall classification. CONCLUSIONS: In line with global literature, a much higher proportion of men than women sought consultation for ocular trauma. The findings suggest a need for improvement in the referral process from institutions with the lowest level of care. Lack of awareness about eye protection is an issue. Surgical exploration or additional tests may be necessary for precise injury classification. We therefore propose adding a "still to be determined" category to the BETT initial classification. These cases may be reclassified later, thus improving the accuracy of OTS calculation.

Early-Phase Perceptions of COVID-19's Impact on Ophthalmology Practice Patterns: A Survey from the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology.

Purpose: The COVID-19 pandemic affected medical practice worldwide due to interventions to prevent spreading. Its effect on ophthalmology practices in Latin America has not yet been explored. We aimed to assess the perceptions about the pandemic from countries' ophthalmological national and subspecialty retina societies affiliated to the Pan-American Association of Ophthalmology (PAAO). Patients and Methods: A survey-based study of leaders of national ophthalmological and retinal societies was conducted. The survey was sent by email to 30 societies, from which 20 responded (12 countries, 66.6% response rate). It included closed- and open-ended questions about (1) operational capacity and precautions, (2) telemedicine and virtual care, (3) procedures, and (4) post-pandemic considerations. Results: There was a marked decline in ophthalmology patient visits (80-95%) and elective surgeries (90%) during 2020 compared to before the pandemic. Precautions like temperature checks, mask usage, and social distancing were widely implemented while personal protective equipment (PPE) availability varied. Telemedicine use was limited due to lack of experience with it. Reopening plans focused on maintaining precautions and gradually resuming activities. Economic and security concerns were raised, and adherence to guidelines was emphasized. Respondents acknowledged the need to adapt to a "new normal". Long duration drugs, fewer imaging studies, and shorter wait times were preferred; however, availability of long duration drugs was limited. Conclusion: The pandemic impacted ophthalmology in Latin America, with reduced patient visits, procedures, and surgeries. Delayed treatment and complications were likely the result of the pandemic.

Platelet-rich plasma to rescue an ulcerated orbital dermal fat graft.

INTRODUCTION: Central graft ulceration is a rare complication of an orbital dermal fat graft caused by diminished blood supply to the implant. This study reports on the efficacy and safety of the use of a single subconjunctival injection of autologous platelet-rich plasma to rescue an ulcerated orbital dermal fat graft. METHODS: Three patients, who had undergone autologous dermal fat graft to treat their anophthalmic socket, were given a 2-mL subconjunctival platelet-rich plasma injection in the exposed graft margins. Demographic and clinical features, treatment protocol, clinical course, complications and follow-up time are reported. In the preoperative examination, all the patients presented a primary epithelial defect of the dermal fat graft. RESULTS: There were no major complications such as necrosis or infection. One patient presented a small conjunctival granuloma at 1-month follow up. Mean postoperative follow-up duration was 13 (range: 10-16) months. By 1 month, the chronic epithelial defect had resolved with the graft integrated within the orbital tissues in all cases. All patients were referred for artificial prosthesis placement. CONCLUSION: Although further work is needed, our findings suggest that a single subconjunctival platelet-rich plasma injection could be an effective, safe and economic alternative to surgery to rescue an ulcerated orbital dermal fat graft.

Principales causas de consulta de urgencias oftalmológicas en un instituto de atención terciaria en Colombia / Primary causes of emergency ophthalmological consultations at a tertiary care institution in Colombia / Principais causas de atendimento oftalmológico emergencial em uma instituição de atenção terciária na Colômbia

Introducción. Diversas condiciones oftalmológicas son causas de consultas a los servicios de urgencias. El objetivo de este trabajo fue determinar las causas más comunes de consulta al servicio de urgencias oftalmológicas de una institución terciaria en Colombia y, así, poder explorar en el futuro la posibilidad de identificar algunas medidas preventivas dirigidas a disminuir la frecuencia de esas causas. Metodología. Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo basado en los registros de pacientes que asistieron al servicio de urgencias durante los años 2014 y 2015. Las patologías se identificaron a partir de los códigos de la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades, CIE-10. Resultados. Se identificaron 9,088 y 8,162 registros para los años 2014 y 2015, respectivamente. Las causas de consulta a urgencias oftalmológicas más frecuentes para el año 2014 fueron: cuerpo extraño en la córnea o en la conjuntiva con un 20.2 % de los casos, conjuntivitis aguda no especificada con 11.3 %, traumatismo de la conjuntiva y abrasión corneal con 8.3 %, hemorragia conjuntival con 5.8 % y quemaduras corneales con 4.7 %. En el año 2015, las causas fueron: cuerpo extraño en la córnea o en la conjuntiva (23.6 %), traumatismo de la conjuntiva y abrasión corneal (9.0 %), conjuntivitis aguda no especificada (8.9 %), hemorragia conjuntival (4.4 %) y quemaduras corneales (4.0 %). Discusión. Las causas más frecuentes de consulta a urgencias oftalmológicas incluyeron los traumas y las infecciones del segmento anterior del ojo. Conclusiones. Existe la posibilidad de identificar algunas medidas preventivas (elementos de protección adecuados, protocolos de conducta en situaciones de riesgo, etc.) que ayuden a disminuir la frecuencia de traumas oculares y minimicen el riesgo de infecciones. Hay, entonces, cabida para más estudios en los que se analicen los mecanismos específicos de estas lesiones. Cómo citar. Galvis V, Díaz AL, Ochoa ME, Rey JJ, Ardila LC, Olivero LP, Tello A. Principales causas de consulta de urgencias oftalmológicas en un instituto de atención terciaria en Colombia. MedUNAB 2019;22(2):153-161. doi:10.29375/01237047.3489

Introduction. Several ophthalmological conditions are causes of consultations to the emergency services. The objective of this study was to determine the most common causes of consultation to the ophthalmological emergency service of a tertiary institution in Colombia and thus be able to explore in the future the possibility of identifying some preventive measures aimed at reducing the frequency of these causes. Methodology. Retrospective descriptive study based on the records of patients attending the emergency department during 2014 and 2015, identifying the diseases based on the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) codes. Results. 9,088 and 8,162 records were identified for 2014 and 2015, respectively. The most frequent causes of ophthalmologic urgency consultation for the year 2014 were: corneal or conjunctive foreign body with 20.2 %, acute conjunctivitis not specified 11.3 %, conjunctival trauma and corneal abrasion 8.3 %, conjunctival haemorrh age 5.8 % and corneal burns 4.7 %. In 2015 the causes were: foreign body in the cornea or conjunctiva (23.6 %), conjunctival trauma and corneal abrasion (9.0 %), acute unspecified conjunctivitis (8.9 %), conjunctival hemorrhage (4.4 %), and corneal burns (4.0 %). Discussion. The most frequent causes of consultation with ophthalmologic emergencies included trauma and infections of the anterior segment of the eye. Conclusions. There is a possibility of identifying some preventive measures (adequate protection elements, behavior protocols in situations of risk, etc.) that help to reduce the frequency of eye traumas and minimize the risk of infections. There is room for more studies in which the specific mechanisms of these injuries are analyzed. Cómo citar: Galvis V, Díaz AL, Ochoa ME, Rey JJ, Ardila LC, Olivero LP, Tello A. Principales causas de consulta de urgencias oftalmológicas en un instituto de atención terciaria en Colombia. MedUNAB 2019;22(2):153-161. doi:10.29375/01237047.3489

Introdução. Várias condições oftalmológicas são causas de atendimento nos serviços de emergência. O objetivo deste trabalho foi determinar as causas mais comuns de atendimento oftalmológico emergencial em uma instituição terciária na Colômbia e, assim, poder explorar no futuro a possibilidade de identificar algumas medidas preventivas para reduzir a frequência dessas causas. Métodos. Estudo descritivo retrospectivo baseado nos registros de pacientes que compareceram ao serviço de emergência oftalmológica durante os anos 2014 e 2015. As patologias foram identificadas a partir dos códigos da Classificação Internacional de Doenças, CID-10. Resultados. Foram identificados 9,088 e 8,162 registros para os anos 2014 e 2015, respectivamente. As causas de atendimento oftalmológico emergencial mais frequentes em 2014 foram: corpo estranho na córnea ou na conjuntiva com 20,2 % dos casos, conjuntivite aguda não especificada com 11,3 %, trauma conjuntival e abrasão corneana com 8,3 %, hemorragia conjuntival com 5,8 % e queimaduras corneanas com 4,7 %. No ano 2015, as causas foram: corpo estranho na córnea ou na conjuntiva (23,6 %), trauma conjuntival e abrasão corneana (9,0 %), conjuntivite aguda não especificada (8,9 %), hemorragia conjuntival (4,4 %) e queimaduras corneanas (4,0 %). Discussão. As causas mais frequentes de atendimento oftalmológico emergencial incluíram traumas e infecções do segmento anterior do olho. Conclusões. Existe a possibilidade de identificar algumas medidas preventivas (elementos de proteção adequados, protocolos de conduta em situações de risco, etc.) que ajudem na redução da frequência de trauma ocular e para minimizar o risco de infecções. Há, então, espaço para mais estudos que analisem os mecanismos específicos dessas lesões Cómo citar. Galvis V, Díaz AL, Ochoa ME, Rey JJ, Ardila LC, Olivero LP, Tello A. Principales causas de consulta de urgencias oftalmológicas en un instituto de atención terciaria en Colombia. MedUNAB 2019;22(2):153-161. doi:10.29375/01237047.3489