Penetrating Ocular Trauma Caused by Steel Wire from a Rotating Wire Brush: A Case Report with Review of Literature

A 19-year-old young man came to emergency department with a complaint of injury in the left eye with a wire, while cleaning the car engine parts in the workshop with motorized rotating wire brush. He was referred immediately to the eye clinic. On examination of the left eye, a thin steel wire was seen penetrating at the nasal limbus which was projecting forwards. The wire was removed (33 mm in length) under aseptic precautions using topical anaesthesia. Postoperatively, he was treated with ciprofloxacin eye drops. The patient had no ocular morbidity; the vision was normal, and he was asymptomatic in the left eye. Eye injuries from rotating wire brushes are caused by detached fragments. These eyes should be examined in detail for the involvement of different structures of the eye; and should be treated adequately in-time to prevent visual loss/ blindness. Wearing of safety glasses/ full face shield while working is recommended to prevent such injuries.

An Atypical Presentation of Sympathetic Ophthalmia in an Intact Globe Following Mechanical Fall: A Case Report and Literature Review

Purpose: To describe an atypical case of sympathetic ophthalmia presenting after blunt trauma causing disinsertion of the iris in an intact globe. Methods: Case report. Results: A 71-year-old lady presented to the Emergency Department following a mechanical fall. On examination, she was noted to have periocular haematoma, subconjunctival haemorrhage, hyphaema, and vitreous haemorrhage in the left eye, but there was no evidence of globe rupture. The presenting visual acuity was 6/18. As the hyphaema and vitreous haemorrhage settled, a complete loss of the iris was noted with normal fundus. She was re-admitted a month later under the medical team with urinary tract infection and reduced vision in both eyes. On examination, there was mild conjunctival injection, keratic precipitates, anterior chamber flare, 180-degree posterior synechiae, and vitritis with no fundal view of the right eye. She was diagnosed with sympathetic ophthalmia and was treated with topical and systemic corticosteroid. Her vision improved gradually with treatment and was stable at 6/6 on the right (sympathising) eye and 6/9 on the left (excited) eye at final follow-up. Conclusion: Sympathetic ophthalmia may result from non-penetrating ocular trauma. Comprehensive history of mechanism of injury and ophthalmic examination is essential so that prompt treatment can be given to improve the visual prognosis of affected patients.

Sympathetic Ophthalmia; Clinical Findings, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Sympathetic ophthalmia is a rare, bilateral, recurrent, granulomatous panuveitis following penetrating ocular trauma or surgery. Although the etiology is not well understood, it is thought that there is an autoimmune reaction against ocular antigens that are exposed from the inciting eye. Diagnosis is based on history and clinical findings. As well as the primary site of inflammation in the choroid, posterior segment findings such as papillitis, vitritis, exudative retinal detachment, increased choroidal thickness, choroidal infiltrations, and Dalen-Fuchs nodules and granulomatous anterior uveitis especially in chronic recurrent phase are the most important clinical features of the disease. Prompt and effective treatment with corticosteroids and immunosuppressive agents is very important in achieving good visual results. The role of enucleation in the prevention and prognosis of the disease is controversial.

Exogenous Fungal Endophthalmitis: Clues to Aspergillus Aetiology with a Pharmacological Perspective

Exogenous fungal endophthalmitis (EXFE) represents a rare complication after penetrating ocular trauma of previously unresolved keratitis or iatrogenic infections, following intraocular surgery such as cataract surgery. The usual latency period between intraocular inoculation and presentation of symptoms from fungal endophthalmitis is several weeks to months as delayed-onset endophthalmitis. Aspergillus spp., is the most common causative mould pathogen implicated in this ocular infection and early diagnosis and prompt antimicrobial treatment, concomitantly in most cases with expert surgical attention, reduce unfavorable complications and increase the possibility of eye function preservation. Topical, intravitreal and systemic antifungal molecules are the mainstay of a medical approach to the disease and azoles, polyenes and in particular cases echinocandins are the pharmacological classes most commonly used in clinical practice. This review discusses pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamic of antifungal agents in their principal modes of administration with a focus on their ability to achieve high drug concentration in the vitreous and ocular tissues.

Gamma-Irradiated Cornea in Combat-related Ocular Trauma

ABSTRACT Corneal injury is a known risk for deployed troops worldwide. To the authors’ knowledge, there has been no reported use of gamma-irradiated corneas in the setting of severe corneal trauma. Our report highlights the case of a 36-year-old active duty solider who sustained bilateral penetrating ocular trauma from a nearby ordnance explosion. We propose that ocular surgeons should consider utilizing gamma-irradiated corneas in (1) a situation where the corneal tissue is so damaged that it would be challenging to accomplish an adequate repair while providing the opportunity for future visual rehabilitation and (2) remote and/or deployed environments where storage of fresh donor tissue is limited. The long shelf life of gamma-irradiated corneas reduces the need for specialized storage equipment and the need for continuous resupply, both potentially leading to significant cost savings for the Military Health System.

Vitrectomy combined with intravitreal antifungal therapy for posttraumatic fungal endophthalmitis in eastern China

Background To evaluate the effect and prognostic factors of vitrectomy combined with intravitreal antifungal therapy for posttraumatic fungal endophthalmitis in Eastern China. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients who developed fungal endophthalmitis after penetrating ocular trauma at an ophthalmic center in Eastern China. All patients underwent vitrectomy and intravitreal injection of antifungal drugs. Results Thirty-five patients (35 eyes) were included. Twelve eyes suffered plant trauma, 17 eyes metal trauma, and 6 eyes other trauma. The culture results for all 35 eyes showed filamentous fungi, including Aspergillus in 26 eyes (74.3%). Twenty-three eyes underwent vitrectomy once and 12 eyes were treated twice. Four eyes were iridectomized because of a fungal lesion behind the iris. Fungal endophthalmitis was effectively controlled in 33 eyes (94.3%), whereas 2 eyes were ultimately enucleated. Visual acuity was significantly better after treatment than before treatment (P = 0.0006). According to the preoperative vision, the affected eyes were divided into two groups: group 1A (light perception) and group 1B (better than light perception). The final visual acuity in group 1B was significantly better than that in group 1A (P = 0.0289). Conclusions Vitrectomy combined with intravitreal antifungal therapy is an effective treatment for posttraumatic fungal endophthalmitis. Preoperative visual acuity is a significant factor affecting the prognosis of visual acuity.

Neglected Ocular Trauma by Patient and Local Practitioner

Ocular trauma is the major cause of vision loss. The circumstances and agents implicated in such injuries are diverse. In context of Nepal, fall injury is most common form of accident. We present a case of penetrating ocular trauma in 30 years old house wife who fell from tree. The impacted wooden foreign body was removed on emergency basis. Delay in seeking specialty medical help by patients and ignorance of local practitioner for referral resulted in macerated conjunctiva. This case highlights the propensity of grievous ocular trauma in domestic environment.