Eric D. Weichel

Combat Ocular Trauma Visual Outcomes during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom

OBJECTIVE To report the visual and anatomic outcomes as well as to predict the visual prognosis of combat ocular trauma (COT) during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. DESIGN Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional, consecutive case series. PARTICIPANTS Five hundred twenty-three consecutive globe or adnexal combat injuries, or both, sustained by 387 United States soldiers treated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center between March 2003 and October 2006. METHODS Two hundred one ocular trauma variables were collected on each injured soldier. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was categorized using the ocular trauma score (OTS) grading system and was analyzed by comparing initial and 6-month postinjury BCVA. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Best-corrected visual acuity, OTS, and globe, oculoplastic, neuro-ophthalmic, and associated nonocular injuries. RESULTS The median age was 25+/-7 years (range, 18-57 years), with the median baseline OTS of 70+/-25 (range, 12-100). The types of COT included closed-globe (n = 234; zone 1+2, n = 103; zone 3, n = 131), open-globe (n = 198; intraocular foreign body, n = 86; perforating, n = 61; penetrating, n = 32; and rupture, n = 19), oculoplastic (n = 324), and neuro-ophthalmic (n = 135) injuries. Globe trauma was present in 432 eyes, with 253 eyes used for visual acuity analysis. Comparing initial versus 6-month BCVA, 42% of eyes achieved a BCVA of 20/40 or better, whereas 32% of eyes had a BCVA of no light perception. Closed-globe injuries accounted for 65% of BCVA of 20/40 or better, whereas 75% of open-globe injuries had a BCVA of 20/200 or worse. The ocular injuries with the worst visual outcomes included choroidal hemorrhage, globe perforation or rupture, retinal detachment, submacular hemorrhage, and traumatic optic neuropathy. Additionally, COT that combined globe injury with oculoplastic or neuro-ophthalmologic injury resulted in the highest risk of final BCVA worse than 20/200 (odds ratio, 11.8; 95% confidence interval, 4.0-34.7; P<0.0005). Nonocular injuries occurred in 85% of cases and included traumatic brain injury (66%) and facial injury (58%). Extremity injuries were 44% (170 of 387 soldiers). Amputation is a subset of extremity injury with 12% (46 of 387) having sustained a severe extremity injury causing amputation. CONCLUSIONS Combat ocular trauma has high rates of nonocular injuries with better visual outcomes in closed-globe compared with open-globe trauma. The OTS is a valid classification scheme for COT and correlates the severity of injury with the final visual acuity and prognosis. Globe combined with oculoplastic or neuroophthalmologic injuries have the worst visual prognosis. FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE(S) The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article.

Perforating Globe Injuries during Operation Iraqi Freedom

OBJECTIVE To report the injury patterns associated with perforating (through-and-through) injuries of the globe and the visual impact of these injuries on patients with combat ocular trauma (COT) seen at Walter Reed Army Medical Center (WRAMC) from March 2003 through October 2006. DESIGN Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS Sixty-five eyes of 61 United States military soldiers deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom sustaining perforating globe injuries and treated subsequently at WRAMC. INTERVENTION Principal procedures included enucleation and 20-gauge 3-port pars plana vitrectomy with or without intraocular foreign body removal. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Final visual acuity and rates of proliferative vitreoretinopathy, enucleation, and endophthalmitis. RESULTS Average patient age was 29 years, with an average of 200 days of postinjury follow-up (median, 97 days; range, 4-1023 days). Nineteen patients confirmed the use of eye protection at the time of injury, whereas 25 patients did not use eye protection. The median presenting visual acuity at WRAMC was no light perception (range, no light perception to hand movements). Twenty-five patients underwent primary enucleation, 1 was eviscerated, and 12 patients underwent secondary enucleation within 2 weeks of surgery. Of 19 patients undergoing pars plana vitrectomy, median visual acuity at presentation was light perception and the median final visual acuity was counting fingers, whereas 4 eyes (21%) achieved final visual acuity of better than 20/200, and in 11 (61%) of 17, proliferative vitreoretinopathy developed over a follow-up of at least 6 months. There were no cases of endophthalmitis or sympathetic ophthalmia. Neither mechanism of injury nor timing of surgery correlated with favorable outcomes. However, entry and exit wounds localized to the anterior half of the globe were associated with favorable anatomic outcome (P<0.005, Fisher exact test, 2-tailed) and visual outcome (P = 0.041, Fisher exact test, 2-tailed). CONCLUSIONS Perforating globe injuries associated with COT generally result in poor visual and anatomic outcomes despite surgical intervention. Prophylactic measures, such as eye protection, are helpful in reducing the likelihood of perforating injuries; however, novel surgical and pharmacologic therapies will be required to improve the functional and anatomic outcomes of these devastating injuries.

Eye and visual function in traumatic brain injury

Combat blast is an important cause of traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the Department of Veterans Affairs polytrauma population, whereas common causes of TBI in the civilian sector include motor vehicle accidents and falls. Known visual consequences of civilian TBI include compromised visual acuity, visual fields, and oculomotor function. The visual consequences of TBI related to blast remain largely unknown. Blast injury may include open globe (eye) injury, which is usually detected and managed early in the rehabilitation journey. The incidence, locations, and types of ocular damage in eyes without open globe injury after exposure to powerful blast have not been systematically studied. Initial reports and preliminary data suggest that binocular function, visual fields, and other aspects of visual function may be impaired after blast-related TBI, despite relatively normal visual acuity. Damage to the ocular tissues may occur from blunt trauma without rupture or penetration (closed globe injury). Possible areas for research are development of common taxonomy and assessment tools across services, surgical management, and outcomes for blast-related eye injury; the incidence, locations, and natural history of closed globe injury; binocular and visual function impairment; quality of life in affected service members; pharmacological and visual therapies; and practice patterns for screening, management, and rehabilitation.

Fundus Autofluorescence Imaging of the White Dot Syndromes

OBJECTIVE To characterize the fundus autofluorescence (FAF) findings in patients with white dot syndromes (WDSs). METHODS Patients with WDSs underwent ophthalmic examination, fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and FAF imaging. Patients were categorized as having no, minimal, or predominant foveal hypoautofluorescence. The severity of visual impairment was then correlated with the degree of foveal hypoautofluorescence. RESULTS Fifty-five eyes of 28 patients with WDSs were evaluated. Visual acuities ranged from 20/12.5 to hand motions. Diagnoses included serpiginous choroidopathy (5 patients), birdshot retinochoroidopathy (10), multifocal choroiditis (8), relentless placoid chorioretinitis (1), presumed tuberculosis-associated serpiginouslike choroidopathy (1), acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (1), and acute zonal occult outer retinopathy (2). In active serpiginous choroidopathy, notable hyperautofluorescence in active disease distinguished it from the variegated FAF features of tuberculosis-associated serpiginouslike choroidopathy. The percentage of patients with visual acuity impairment of less than 20/40 differed among eyes with no, minimal, and predominant foveal hypoautofluorescence (P < .001). Patients with predominant foveal hypoautofluorescence demonstrated worse visual acuity than those with minimal or no foveal hypoautofluorescence (both P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Fundus autofluorescence imaging is useful in the evaluation of the WDS. Visual acuity impairment is correlated with foveal hypoautofluorescence. Further studies are needed to evaluate the precise role of FAF imaging in the WDSs.

Current trends in the management of intraocular foreign bodies.

Purpose of review The aim of this article is to present the recent literature on the preoperative assessment, intraoperative management and postoperative care of patients with intraocular foreign bodies and present a management algorithm. Recent findings The preoperative assessment includes an evaluation of concomitant, potentially life-threatening conditions, as well as a relevant history and ophthalmic examination. Neuroimaging, preferably with noncontrast helical computed tomography, provides excellent information about intraocular foreign body size, shape and location. The preoperative assessment provides valuable information for prognosis, counseling, and intraoperative guidance. The decision of delayed versus immediate intraocular foreign body removal must be guided by the patients medical status, availability of adequate operating facilities and staff, and the presence of clinical endophthalmitis. The administration of perioperative systemic and topical third or fourth-generation fluoroquinolones may play a role in decreasing the incidence of postoperative endophthalmitis. Intravitreal antibiotics warrant consideration in patients with a Gram stain positive for organisms, in cases suspicious for endophthalmitis, and in high-risk settings. Both the material and size of the foreign body are considerations in the choice of instrument and extraction site used (sclerotomy versus scleral tunnel) at time of pars plana vitrectomy and intraocular foreign body removal. Postoperatively, patients should be monitored closely for the development of endophthalmitis, retinal detachment and proliferative vitreoretinopathy. Summary This review summarizes the recent literature on the assessment of intraocular foreign bodies and techniques for their removal. An algorithm provides guidelines for their perioperative and operative management.

Combat ocular trauma and systemic injury

Purpose of review To review the recent literature regarding combat ocular trauma during hostilities in Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, describe the classification of combat ocular trauma, and offer strategies that may assist in the management of eye injuries. Recent findings Several recent publications have highlighted features of combat ocular trauma from Operation Iraqi Freedom. The most common cause of todays combat ocular injuries is unconventional fragmentary munitions causing significant blast injuries. These explosive munitions cause high rates of concomitant nonocular injuries such as traumatic brain injury, amputation, and other organ injuries. The most frequent ocular injuries include open-globe and adnexal lacerations. The extreme severity of combat-related open-globe injuries leads to high rates of primary enucleation and retained intraocular foreign bodies. Visual outcomes of intraocular foreign body injuries are similar to other series despite delayed removal, and no cases of endophthalmitis have occurred. Despite these advances, however, significant vision loss persists in cases of perforating globe injuries as well as open and closed-globe trauma involving the posterior segment. Summary This review summarizes the recent literature describing ocular and systemic injuries sustained during Operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom. An emphasis on classification of ocular injuries as well as a discussion of main outcome measures and complications is discussed.

Traumatic brain injury associated with combat ocular trauma

PurposeTo determine the impact of traumatic brain injury (TBI) on visual outcomes in combat ocular trauma (COT) and determine the association between TBI severity and types of ocular injuries. ParticipantsOne hundred fifty-two US casualties sustained 207 globe/oculoplastic combat injuries. MethodsRetrospective, hospital-based cross-sectional study of US service members injured during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom were treated by the Ophthalmology Service at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and screened for TBI by the Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center from August 2004 to October 2006. Main Outcome MeasuresThe main outcome measure was best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA). Secondary outcome measures included the severity and frequency of TBI with globe, oculoplastic, and/or neuro-ophthalmic injury. ResultsThe frequency of COT with positive TBI screening was 101 of 152 cases (66%) in comparison with negative TBI screening, which was 51 of 152 (34%) cases. The Defense and Veterans Brain Injury Center found TBI with concomitant ocular trauma in 101 of 474 (21%) consecutive casualties. Explosive fragmentary munitions accounted for 79% of TBI-associated COT. The median follow-up was 185 days. Traumatic brain injury severity did not correlate with worse final BCVA (Spearman coefficient, r = 0.12). The odds that BCVA worse than 20/200 was present with TBI was not statistically significant (OR: 1.5; 95% CI, 0.9–2.6; P = .10). The presence of TBI in COT was not associated with worse visual outcome (Mann-Whitney U test, P = .10). Globe injuries were more common than oculoplastic or neuro-ophthalmic injury. Closed-globe injuries were more likely to have TBI than open-globe injuries (OR: 2.17; 95% CI, 1.12–4.21; P = .03). Traumatic brain injury severity associated with COT included mild TBI (31%), moderate TBI (30%), severe TBI (25%), and penetrating TBI (14%). Severe TBI is more frequently associated with COT. ConclusionTraumatic brain injury occurs in two thirds of all COT and ocular trauma is a common finding in all TBI cases. Closed-globe injuries are at highest risk for TBI while TBI does not appear to lead to poorer visual outcomes. Every patient with COT needs TBI screening. Those service members who are screened TBI positive need a referral to a TBI rehabilitation specialist.

25-Gauge transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy for the diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma

Background/Aims Diagnostic pars plana vitrectomy is a useful technique in the diagnosis of intraocular lymphoma (IOL); however, the role of transconjunctival sutureless vitrectomy (TSV) has not been fully explored for this indication. The purpose of this study was to review our experience with 25-gauge TSV for the diagnosis of IOL. Methods Patients who underwent 25-gauge TSV for the diagnosis of IOL (primary, secondary or recurrent) from two tertiary referral centres were reviewed. Demographic data and underlying medical conditions were reviewed. Preoperative and postoperative visual acuities (VA) and ophthalmic examination data were assessed. Cytopathology, flow cytometry, cytokine and gene rearrangement studies were assessed. Results Twelve patients underwent 25-gauge diagnostic TSV with a median follow-up time of 37 weeks. B-cell or T-cell IOL was diagnosed based on cytology in 3/12 patients (25%, 95% CI 8.9 to 53.2%) and in eight patients (67%, 95% CI 39.1 to 86.1%) using adjunctive diagnostic testing. VA stabilised or improved in 11 eyes (92%). Mean VA improved from 20/95 to 20/66 (p=0.055, paired t test). Conclusions 25-Gauge TSV is safe and effective for obtaining vitreous specimens for the evaluation of IOL. The availability of expert ophthalmic pathological consultation, flow cytometry, cytokine evaluation and gene rearrangement studies were essential to the diagnosis.

Same-day versus delayed vitrectomy with lensectomy for the management of retained lens fragments.

Purpose: To evaluate whether performing same-day pars plana vitrectomy versus delayed pars plana vitrectomy affects visual outcomes and ocular morbidity of patients with retained lens fragments after a complicated cataract surgery. Methods: Retrospective, comparative case series of 172 eyes of 171 patients with retained lens fragments undergoing 3-port pars plana vitrectomy using 20-, 23-, or 25-gauge instrumentation between 2005 and 2008. Outcome measures included best-corrected visual acuity at 6 months, final best-corrected visual acuity, and postoperative complications such as cystoid macular edema, intraocular pressure elevation, retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, choroidal hemorrhage, and endophthalmitis. Results: The median age was 75 ± 0.8 years. The mean time to vitrectomy for the delayed group was 15 ± 2 days. The preoperative logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution best-corrected visual acuity for immediate vitrectomy was 0.73 ± 0.09 versus 0.72 ± 0.06 for delayed vitrectomy. Six-month logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution acuity was 0.44 ± 0.09 for same-day vitrectomy compared with 0.44 ± 0.05 for delayed vitrectomy (P = 0.97, 2-tailed t-test). Of 59 eyes undergoing immediate vitrectomy, 17 (29%) experienced postoperative complications, while 38 of 113 eyes (34%), experienced complications if undergoing delayed vitrectomy (Fisher exact test, P = 0.61). Overall, the most common complication was cystoid macular edema occurring in 25 of 172 eyes (15%). Conclusion: The outcomes of same-day pars plana vitrectomy appear to be similar to non-same-day pars plana vitrectomy. The risks and benefits related to the timing of vitrectomy after a complicated cataract surgery should be carefully discussed with each patient. Further investigation is warranted to establish an optimal time for surgical planning.

Fundus autofluorescence changes in cytomegalovirus retinitis

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe fundus autofluorescence imaging features of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis and to correlate fundus autofluorescence features with clinical activity. Methods: A retrospective case series was undertaken to evaluate nine eyes of six patients with active CMV retinitis. Patients were evaluated with a comprehensive ophthalmic examination, fundus autofluorescence imaging, and fundus photography. Oral valganciclovir, intravitreal ganciclovir, intravitreal foscarnet, or an ganciclovir implant was administered as clinically indicated. Results: In all nine eyes with active CMV retinitis, a hyperautofluorescent signal on fundus autofluorescence imaging was correlated spatially with the border of advancing CMV retinitis. Stippled areas of alternating hyperautofluorescence and hypoautofluorescence were observed in regions of retinal pigment epithelium atrophy from prior CMV retinitis. In three eyes with subtle CMV reactivation, a hyperautofluorescent border was helpful in the detection and localization of active CMV retinitis. In another patient, diffuse, punctate hyperautofluorescence after intravitreal ganciclovir and foscarnet was a concern for medication-related toxicity. Conclusion: Fundus autofluorescence imaging was valuable in highlighting areas of active CMV retinitis in all patients in this series, including two patients with subtle clinical features. Fundus autofluorescence may be useful as an adjunctive imaging modality for the detection of CMV activity and aid in our understanding of the structural changes during episodes of CMV retinitis.