A prospective study on ophthalmic injuries related to maxillofacial trauma in Indian population

BACKGROUND: Ophthalmic injuries commonly occur in patients with facial fractures. This study was set up to determine the incidence of ophthalmic injuries as assessed by an ophthalmologist, in patients who had sustained maxillofacial fractures. OBJECTIVE: To determine the incidence of ophthalmic injuries in maxillofacial fractures in Indian population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A study of 136 patients who had sustained facial trauma sufficient to lead to a facial bone fracture was undertaken and the patients received a comprehensive examination by an ophthalmologist and an orthoptist within one week of injury. All the patients sustaining confirmed maxillofacial fractures were examined by an ophthalmologist for any associated ocular injury. The ophthalmic injuries were classified into three categories—mild, moderate, severe. RESULTS: Ninety-three patients (68.3%) examined sustained eye injuries of various types. Of these, 61.2% were temporary or minor, 29.03% were moderate, and 9.6% were serious. The highest incidence was found in association with mid face fractures, i.e., 95.7%. Fifty-seven patients sustained 176 minor ophthalmologic injuries; 27 patients suffered moderately; 33 had severe ophthalmic injuries. Nine patients sustained severe eye injuries. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that all traumas to the face, particularly above the level of the mouth, require a careful eye examination, including an estimation of visual acuity of each type.