VITRECTOMY IN OCULAR TRAUMA - FACTORS INFLUENCING FINAL VISUAL OUTCOME

The results of vitrectomy in 240 consecutive cases of ocular trauma we re reviewed. Of these cases, 71.2% were war injuries. Intraocular fore ign bodies were present in 155 eyes, of which 74.8% were metallic and 61.9% ferromagnetic. Multivariate analysis identified the prognostic f actors predictive of poor visual outcome, which included: (1) presence of an afferent pupillary defect; (2) double perforating injuries; and (3) presence of intraocular foreign bodies. Association of vitreous h emorrhage with intraocular foreign bodies was predictive of a poor pro gnosis. Eyes with foreign bodies retained in the anterior segment and vitreous had a better prognosis than those with foreign bodies embedde d in the retina. Timing of vitrectomy and type of trauma had no signif icant effect on the final visual results. Prophylactic scleral bucklin g reduced the incidence of retinal detachment after surgery. Injuries confined to the cornea had a better prognosis than scleral injuries.