Results of primary vitrectomy in severe perforating ocular injuries.

Vitrectomy in the initial treatment of perforating injuries is indicated when lens damage involves the posterior capsule, when anterior segment disruption involves vitreous, with extensive vitreous haemorrhage and overt or suspected retinal damage, in removal of a non-magnetic intraocular foreign body and in perforating injury with endophthalmitis. The visual results in 72 eyes followed for up to 6 years are: blind or enucleated 19 (26%), acuity less than 0.1 in 14 (19%), 0.1-0.4 in 18 (25%) and 0.5 or better in 21 (30%). Retinal detachment occurred in 27 eyes with successful reattachment in 18 (66%).