Ocular axial length changes following trauma: Blunt versus penetrating

Abstract

Aims: This study aims to analyze the effect of penetrating and blunt trauma on ocular axial length. Settings and Design: This is a retrospective study. Subjects and Methods: Seventy cases of unilateral ocular trauma visited between January 2012 and January 2015. Blunt and penetrating groups were formed based on the nature of injury. Mode, nature, age at injury, and presenting age were noted. Best-corrected visual acuity, axial length, keratometry, and biometric values of both eyes were documented. Factors statistically associated with changes in axial length in traumatic eyes were measured. Results: Mean axial length in penetrating trauma group was 25.31 mm (standard deviation [SD]: 1.75), and in blunt trauma group was 24.05 mm (SD: 1.13). Using regression analysis, if the axial length in control eye increases by 1 mm, then in the traumatic eye, it increases by 1.34 mm. Similarly, age at injury, penetrating trauma and longer duration between injury and presentation were statistically significant factors associated with increase in axial length in the traumatic eyes. Conclusions: Elongation of the eyeball is significantly greater in penetrating trauma than in blunt trauma. Trauma at a younger age; presentation at a later age and penetrating type of trauma are statistically significant factors associated with an increase in axial length in the traumatic eye.