When to treat with vitrectomy and the outcomes of open-globe injured eyes

Abstract

Open-globe injuries (OGI) result in complicated and diverse conditions with different mechanisms and anatomical locations, which lead to completely different outcomes based on when to perform pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) after trauma. The PPV operation time points are generally divided into early (0 - 3 days), delayed (4 - 14 days), and late (> 2 weeks). There are still some controversies about the PPV time points after OGI. Injuries with intraocular foreign bodies or high risk of infection usually need early surgery to reduce the occurrence of endophthalmitis. However corneal edema and vitreous hemorrhage can increase the difficulties for early diagnosis and surgery. If there is choroidal hemorrhage or severe trauma in the back part of the eye, delayed intervention can allow the blood clots to be liquefied and removed easily. But there is higher incidence of postoperative complications. Late surgery can reduce the difficulty of PPV, but the increased incidence of proliferative vitreoretinopathy may lead to severe retinal traction, tears and postoperative scar formation. Key words: Eye injuries/surgery; Vitrectomy; Review