Epidemiological Characteristics and Outcome of Open Globe Injuries in Tabuk City, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia: Retrospective Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION: The objective of this study was to assess the epidemiological characteristics, clinical features and visual outcomes of open globe eye injury (OGI) in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of OGI patients who had undergone operative repair of their injuries in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia. The collected data included patients’ demographics, duration between trauma and presentation and the mechanism of trauma, wound location, extent of injury, presence of intraocular foreign body, and initial and final visual acuity data. RESULTS: Sixty-three eyes of 63 patients who were admitted for traumatic globe rupture were included; 84.1% were males and 39.7% were of pediatric age. Delay in seeking medical care for > 24 h was recorded in 4.8% of patients. The most common (42.9%) mechanism was blunt trauma followed by sharp trauma (38.1%) and projectile trauma (9.5%); 55.6% had the injury in zone 1. Intraocular foreign body was reported in 9.5% of patients. Intraocular foreign bodies were significantly more common in adults (p = 0.018) compared to children. Poor visual acuity was noted in 77.8% of patients upon presentation and 60.3% on last visit. CONCLUSION: The incidence of OGI was more common in males. The most common cause of OGI was blunt injury, and half of the injuries were in zone 1. Visual outcomes are guarded for most patients with OGIs.