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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.].

Anatomic and visual outcomes in early versus late macula-on primary retinal detachment repair.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe the single surgery anatomic success rates and visual outcomes of primary macula-on retinal detachment repaired within 24 hours compared with later than 24 hours. METHODS: This is a retrospective, comparative, interventional, consecutive case series. All eyes underwent primary surgical repair of the macula-on retinal detachment with a scleral buckle, pars plana vitrectomy, or combination of both procedures. The duration from the initial examination to the time of surgical repair was categorized as early (<24 hours) versus late (>24 hours). RESULTS: Sixty-six eyes, 42 phakic and 24 preoperative pseudophakic, had retinal detachment repair with a median time to surgery of 1.0 ± 2.1 days (0.8 ± 0.4 days in early group versus 3.7 ± 2.2 days in late group, P < 0.005). The overall single surgery anatomic success rate was 59 of 66 eyes (89%). The single surgery anatomic success rate between the early (32 of 37 [87%]) versus late (27 of 39 [93%]) repair groups showed no statistical difference (P = 0.45). The mean time of follow-up was 13.1 months (range 0.9-39.2 months) with the mean final logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity showing no statistical difference between the 2 groups (early [0.10 ± 0.02] versus late [0.12 ± 0.03], t-test; P = 0.52). The rates of postoperative glaucoma (P = 0.5) and hemorrhage (P = 0.19) did not differ significantly between the 2 groups. CONCLUSION: Delaying the repair of primary macula-on retinal detachment by more than 24 hours does not appear to cause worse visual or anatomic outcomes compared with early (<24 hours) surgical intervention. There was no significant difference in the complication rates between the two groups.

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.

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.

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.

Chorioretinectomy for perforating or severe intraocular foreign body injuries.

BACKGROUND: To report the outcomes of chorioretinectomy versus non-chorioretinectomy in combat ocular injuries where a foreign body penetrated the choroid or perforated the globe. METHODS: Retrospective, comparative, consecutive interventional case series of 32 perforating or severe intraocular foreign body combat ocular trauma injuries sustained by United States military soldiers and treated at a single institution from March 2003 to March 2009. Final best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) in 19 non-chorioretinectomy-treated eyes was compared to 13 chorioretinectomy-treated eyes. The chorioretinectomy group was repaired with a 20 gauge three-port pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) by removing the choroid and/or retina at the impact or perforation site of the foreign body following evacuation from a combat zone. The main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity and rates of globe survival, retina reattachment and proliferative vitreoretinopathy. RESULTS: Thirty-two eyes of 31 patients with a mean age of 29 +/- 9 years (range, 19-53 years) were followed for a median of 463 +/- 226 days (range, 59-1022 days). The mean time of injury to the operating room in the chorioretinectomy group was 12.6 +/- 9.8 days, compared to that of the non-chorioretinectomy group of 22.1 +/- 16.4 days (P = 0.05) Final BCVA > or =20/200 occurred in seven of 13 (54%) of the chorioretinectomy group, compared to two of 19 (11%) in the non-chorioretinectomy group (P = 0.04). Globe survival rates were higher in the chorioretinectomy group [11 of 13 (85%) vs 9 of 19 (45%); P = 0.06], as well as the final retinal reattachment rate [8 of 13 (62%) vs 8 of 19 (42%); P = 0.47]. The proliferative vitreoretinopathy rate was eight of 13 (62%) in the chorioretinectomy group, compared to 14 of 19 (74%) in the non-chorioretinectomy group (P = 0.70). Graft failure occurred in five of six eyes (83%) of non-chorioretinectomy cases, requiring temporary keratoprosthesis and penetrating keratoplasty. CONCLUSION: Chorioretinectomy is a surgical option that may improve final BCVA and increase globe survival rates when a foreign body penetrates the choroid or perforates the globe.

Fundus autofluorescence changes in cytomegalovirus retinitis.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe fundus autofluorescence imaging features of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis and to correlate fundus autofluorescence features with clinical activity. METHODS: A retrospective case series was undertaken to evaluate nine eyes of six patients with active CMV retinitis. Patients were evaluated with a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, fundus autofluorescence imaging, and fundus photography. Oral valganciclovir, intravitreal ganciclovir, intravitreal foscarnet, or an ganciclovir implant was administered as clinically indicated. RESULTS: In all nine eyes with active CMV retinitis, a hyperautofluorescent signal on fundus autofluorescence imaging was correlated spatially with the border of advancing CMV retinitis. Stippled areas of alternating hyperautofluorescence and hypoautofluorescence were observed in regions of retinal pigment epithelium atrophy from prior CMV retinitis. In three eyes with subtle CMV reactivation, a hyperautofluorescent border was helpful in the detection and localization of active CMV retinitis. In another patient, diffuse, punctate hyperautofluorescence after intravitreal ganciclovir and foscarnet was a concern for medication-related toxicity. CONCLUSION: Fundus autofluorescence imaging was valuable in highlighting areas of active CMV retinitis in all patients in this series, including two patients with subtle clinical features. Fundus autofluorescence may be useful as an adjunctive imaging modality for the detection of CMV activity and aid in our understanding of the structural changes during episodes of CMV retinitis.

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.

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.].

Traumatic macular holes secondary to combat ocular trauma.

PURPOSE: This study reports on the visual impact of combat related traumatic macular hole formation at a single tertiary referral center. METHODS: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional consecutive case series. RESULTS: Seventeen of 432 consecutive traumatic macular holes occurred in 387 United States soldiers during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom between March 2003 and October 2006. The median age was 28 +/- 9 years (range, 19-49 years) and the median follow-up was 292 +/- 453 days (range, 59-1640 days). Closed-globe macular holes equaled 11 of 234 cases (5%), and open-globe macular holes were 6 of 198 (3%). Traumatic macular hole was associated with a retinal detachment in 8 of 17 cases (47%). The overall documented macular hole closure rate was 9 of 15 cases (60%). There was no statistical difference in hole closure rates between surgery and observation (P = 0.34). Severe nonocular injuries occurred in 12 of 17 (71%), with the median time to macular hole surgical repair of 18 +/- 37 days (range, 7-132). There was a significant positive association between the Ocular Trauma Score equal to or greater than 80 and a best-corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or greater (r = 0.87, n = 15; P < 0.005). CONCLUSION: Traumatic macular hole occurs in both open and closed globe combat trauma with high rates of nonocular injuries. Visual outcome is highly variable despite macular hole closure in a majority of patients due to concomitant globe injuries. The Ocular Trauma Score is useful in predicting final visual acuity and traumatic macular hole closure.

Traumatic brain injury associated with combat ocular trauma.

PURPOSE: To determine the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on visual outcomes in combat ocular trauma (COT) and determine the association between TBI severity and types of ocular injuries. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred fifty-two US casualties sustained 207 globe/oculoplastic combat injuries. METHODS: Retrospective, hospital-based cross-sectional study of US service members injured during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom were treated by the Ophthalmology Service at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and screened for TBI by the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center from August 2004 to October 2006. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The main outcome measure was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Secondary outcome measures included the severity and frequency of TBI with globe, oculoplastic, and/or neuro-ophthalmic injury. RESULTS: The frequency of COT with positive TBI screening was 101 of 152 cases (66%) in comparison with negative TBI screening, which was 51 of 152 (34%) cases. The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center found TBI with concomitant ocular trauma in 101 of 474 (21%) consecutive casualties. Explosive fragmentary munitions accounted for 79% of TBI-associated COT. The median follow-up was 185 days. Traumatic brain injury severity did not correlate with worse final BCVA (Spearman coefficient, r = 0.12). The odds that BCVA worse than 20/200 was present with TBI was not statistically significant (OR: 1.5; 95% CI, 0.9-2.6; P = .10). The presence of TBI in COT was not associated with worse visual outcome (Mann-Whitney U test, P = .10). Globe injuries were more common than oculoplastic or neuro-ophthalmic injury. Closed-globe injuries were more likely to have TBI than open-globe injuries (OR: 2.17; 95% CI, 1.12-4.21; P = .03). Traumatic brain injury severity associated with COT included mild TBI (31%), moderate TBI (30%), severe TBI (25%), and penetrating TBI (14%). Severe TBI is more frequently associated with COT. CONCLUSION: Traumatic brain injury occurs in two thirds of all COT and ocular trauma is a common finding in all TBI cases. Closed-globe injuries are at highest risk for TBI while TBI does not appear to lead to poorer visual outcomes. Every patient with COT needs TBI screening. Those service members who are screened TBI positive need a referral to a TBI rehabilitation specialist.

Combat ocular trauma visual outcomes during operations iraqi and enduring freedom.

OBJECTIVE: To report the visual and anatomic outcomes as well as to predict the visual prognosis of combat ocular trauma (COT) during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional, consecutive case series. PARTICIPANTS: Five hundred twenty-three consecutive globe or adnexal combat injuries, or both, sustained by 387 United States soldiers treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center between March 2003 and October 2006. METHODS: Two hundred one ocular trauma variables were collected on each injured soldier. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was categorized using the ocular trauma score (OTS) grading system and was analyzed by comparing initial and 6-month postinjury BCVA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Best-corrected visual acuity, OTS, and globe, oculoplastic, neuro-ophthalmic, and associated nonocular injuries. RESULTS: The median age was 25+/-7 years (range, 18-57 years), with the median baseline OTS of 70+/-25 (range, 12-100). The types of COT included closed-globe (n = 234; zone 1+2, n = 103; zone 3, n = 131), open-globe (n = 198; intraocular foreign body, n = 86; perforating, n = 61; penetrating, n = 32; and rupture, n = 19), oculoplastic (n = 324), and neuro-ophthalmic (n = 135) injuries. Globe trauma was present in 432 eyes, with 253 eyes used for visual acuity analysis. Comparing initial versus 6-month BCVA, 42% of eyes achieved a BCVA of 20/40 or better, whereas 32% of eyes had a BCVA of no light perception. Closed-globe injuries accounted for 65% of BCVA of 20/40 or better, whereas 75% of open-globe injuries had a BCVA of 20/200 or worse. The ocular injuries with the worst visual outcomes included choroidal hemorrhage, globe perforation or rupture, retinal detachment, submacular hemorrhage, and traumatic optic neuropathy. Additionally, COT that combined globe injury with oculoplastic or neuro-ophthalmologic injury resulted in the highest risk of final BCVA worse than 20/200 (odds ratio, 11.8; 95% confidence interval, 4.0-34.7; P<0.0005). Nonocular injuries occurred in 85% of cases and included traumatic brain injury (66%) and facial injury (58%). Extremity injuries were 44% (170 of 387 soldiers). Amputation is a subset of extremity injury with 12% (46 of 387) having sustained a severe extremity injury causing amputation. CONCLUSIONS: Combat ocular trauma has high rates of nonocular injuries with better visual outcomes in closed-globe compared with open-globe trauma. The OTS is a valid classification scheme for COT and correlates the severity of injury with the final visual acuity and prognosis. Globe combined with oculoplastic or neuroophthalmologic injuries have the worst visual prognosis. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Perforating globe injuries during operation Iraqi Freedom.

OBJECTIVE: To report the injury patterns associated with perforating (through-and-through) injuries of the globe and the visual impact of these injuries on patients with combat ocular trauma (COT) seen at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) from March 2003 through October 2006. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Sixty-five eyes of 61 United States military soldiers deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom sustaining perforating globe injuries and treated subsequently at WRAMC. INTERVENTION: Principal procedures included enucleation and 20-gauge 3-port pars plana vitrectomy with or without intraocular foreign body removal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Final visual acuity and rates of proliferative vitreoretinopathy, enucleation, and endophthalmitis. RESULTS: Average patient age was 29 years, with an average of 200 days of postinjury follow-up (median, 97 days; range, 4-1023 days). Nineteen patients confirmed the use of eye protection at the time of injury, whereas 25 patients did not use eye protection. The median presenting visual acuity at WRAMC was no light perception (range, no light perception to hand movements). Twenty-five patients underwent primary enucleation, 1 was eviscerated, and 12 patients underwent secondary enucleation within 2 weeks of surgery. Of 19 patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy, median visual acuity at presentation was light perception and the median final visual acuity was counting fingers, whereas 4 eyes (21%) achieved final visual acuity of better than 20/200, and in 11 (61%) of 17, proliferative vitreoretinopathy developed over a follow-up of at least 6 months. There were no cases of endophthalmitis or sympathetic ophthalmia. Neither mechanism of injury nor timing of surgery correlated with favorable outcomes. However, entry and exit wounds localized to the anterior half of the globe were associated with favorable anatomic outcome (P<0.005, Fisher exact test, 2-tailed) and visual outcome (P = 0.041, Fisher exact test, 2-tailed). CONCLUSIONS: Perforating globe injuries associated with COT generally result in poor visual and anatomic outcomes despite surgical intervention. Prophylactic measures, such as eye protection, are helpful in reducing the likelihood of perforating injuries; however, novel surgical and pharmacologic therapies will be required to improve the functional and anatomic outcomes of these devastating injuries.

Combat ocular trauma and systemic injury.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To review the recent literature regarding combat ocular trauma during hostilities in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, describe the classification of combat ocular trauma, and offer strategies that may assist in the management of eye injuries. RECENT FINDINGS: Several recent publications have highlighted features of combat ocular trauma from Operation Iraqi Freedom. The most common cause of today's combat ocular injuries is unconventional fragmentary munitions causing significant blast injuries. These explosive munitions cause high rates of concomitant nonocular injuries such as traumatic brain injury, amputation, and other organ injuries. The most frequent ocular injuries include open-globe and adnexal lacerations. The extreme severity of combat-related open-globe injuries leads to high rates of primary enucleation and retained intraocular foreign bodies. Visual outcomes of intraocular foreign body injuries are similar to other series despite delayed removal, and no cases of endophthalmitis have occurred. Despite these advances, however, significant vision loss persists in cases of perforating globe injuries as well as open and closed-globe trauma involving the posterior segment. SUMMARY: This review summarizes the recent literature describing ocular and systemic injuries sustained during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. An emphasis on classification of ocular injuries as well as a discussion of main outcome measures and complications is discussed.