Visual Results In Individuals Following The Restoration Of Penetrating Corneal Injuries

Abstract

Background: A penetrating corneal injury is characterized by a full-thickness breach of the cornea. If not managed appropriately, it can lead to severe consequences such as blindness, loss of the eye, or phthisis bulbi. Potential complications include iris tissue prolapse, crystalline lens opacity, vitreous prolapse, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal tears, and retinal detachment. Prompt surgical intervention is essential for enhancing visual outcomes and maintaining ocular integrity. Objective: To evaluate the clarity of vision in individuals who have undergone repair for penetrating corneal injuries. Material and Methods: This prospective investigation involved 100 eyes affected by penetrating corneal injuries within the anterior segment, encompassing both genders. The study was conducted at Sir Salimullah Medical College & Mitford Hospital in Dhaka from January 2022 to December 2022. Comprehensive ophthalmic and systemic examinations were conducted on all patients, with particular attention to initial visual acuity. Surgical repair procedures were carried out under general anesthesia, adhering to strict aseptic protocols, by a highly skilled single surgeon. Follow-up evaluations were conducted on the first postoperative day, at one week, one month, and three months post-surgery. A comparative analysis was performed to assess changes in visual acuity from preoperative to postoperative periods across the follow-up timeline. The collected data were meticulously checked, cleaned, and prepared before being analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) version 25.0. Results: The study reveals that the most affected age group was 21–40 years, with the highest incidence observed in the 31–40 years range. Males comprised the majority of cases (80%), yielding a male-to-female ratio of 4:1. The leading presenting complaints included physical assault (20%), followed by agricultural trauma (18%), road traffic accidents (16%), project-related foreign body injuries (12%), sharp object injuries (12%), and workrelated incidents (10%). Initial visual acuity assessments demonstrated that 60% of patients had poor vision, ranging from hand movement to light perception. Additionally, 16% presented with a visual acuity of 6/60, and only 10% achieved 6/18 vision. By the final follow-up, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) outcomes showed that 12% of patients attained a BCVA of 6/18, while 72% had a BCVA of 6/60 or worse, with some cases resulting in no light perception. Conclusions: This study highlights that penetrating eye injuries significantly contribute to vision loss and impairment in one eye, even when patients receive timely medical care and undergo prompt corneal repair. Therefore, raising public awareness about eye injury prevention is essential and should be a key focus of advocacy initiatives. Promoting the use of protective eyewear, especially among high-risk occupational groups such as artisans, is crucial. If necessary, government regulations should mandate the use of protective eyewear within these groups to reduce the incidence of eye injuries.