Incidence of angle recession after blunt trauma- A longitudinal study

Abstract

Introduction: Ocular injury is an important cause of avoidable visual impairment specially in young age group worldwide. Materials and Methods: 82 patients having blunt trauma to one eye attending ophthalmology department (outpatient, inpatient and emergency patients) are enrolled. Baseline investigation with fundus evaluation, intraocular tension assessment with applanation tonometry and anterior chamber angle evaluation done with gonioscopy on 1, 3 and 6 months. Statistical Analysis was performed with help of Epi Info.3.5.3. Results: The mean age (mean ± s.d.) of the patients was 32.53±11.86 years with range 4 - 55 years and the median age was 33.0 years. Male: Female 2.4:1 though there was no correlation of age and sex. Incidence of angle recession was 24.3% in 1st month of follow up. In patients with hyphema the incidence is 71%. 5% of patient with traumatic angle recession have increased intraocular pressure till last follow up but it is not related to degree of angle-recession. Conclusion: Recession of the anterior chamber angle is a common finding following concussive ocular trauma. This cohort of patients should be followed up for development of glaucomatous optic neuropathy and vision loss. Keywords: Angle recession, Blunt trauma, Post traumatic glaucoma.