Open globe injuries – chosen epidemiological features in own material

Introduction
To evaluate chosen epidemiological factors in perforating eye injuries in own material Material and method: Retrospective case review over period from 2001 to 2003 hospitalised in the Department of Ophthalmology in Bydgoszcz. The group studied comprised 78 patients (79 eyes) aged from 4 to 77 years. Analized were following data: age, gender, the extend of the injury, visual acuity at presentation, the presence of – and intraocular foreign body nature, type of injury, professional activity, and other factors (alcohol use, glasses).

Results
The group studied involved 89.7 % men. Mean age of all the patients was 35.6 years (SD=17.1), male: 35 years (D=17.0), female: 41 (SD=18.5). Severe wounds, including corneal and scleral laceration totaled 32.9%. In 41.8% cases initial visual acuity was less than 0.001, including 42.4% of light perception. There was no light perception in 18.2% in this group. Intraocular foreign bodies were found in 39.2% of studied eyes (75.8% involved ferromagnet metal). Domestic activities accounted for 50% of injuries, and 33.3% occurred at worksite. In the group studied there were 28.2% of unimployed, the pensioners were affected in 9%.

Conclusions
Most of the penetrating eye injuries affected young males aged mean 35 and happened at home. Almost one half of the patients experienced severe injuries leading to severe visual loss. Ferromagnet metal predominated intraocular foreign bodies.