A two-year prospective study of penetrating ocular trauma at the Wilmer Ophthalmological Institute.

A prospective study of 91 consecutively admitted patients with penetrating ocular trauma was performed. Clinical follow-up of six months or more (mean, 15 mo) was obtained for 77% of the patients. Domestic accidents and assault each accounted for approximately one third of the injuries. Penetrating injuries caused by sharp objects resulted in better visual outcome than did those caused by blunt objects. Visual outcome was better for eyes with lacerations less than 10 mm in length and with initial visual acuity greater than 20/200. Injuries limited to the anterior segment had a better prognosis than did those involving the posterior segment.