Purpose:

To evaluate the preoperative signs, complications of cataract surgery and visual outcomes in cases of corneal healing without suturing after penetrating corneal trauma.

Material and Method:

We performed a retrospective analysis of 68 eyes (68 patients) with traumatic cataract after penetrating corneal trauma with a penetrating object, and which corneal healing was achieved without suture. All patients underwent traumatic cataract surgery and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in our clinic. Patient demographics, causes of injury, corneal wound categories, interval of subsequent IOL implantation, preoperative visual acuity, postoperative best-corrected visual acuity, and preoperative, intraoperative and postoperative complications were analyzed in all patients. Patients were divided into two groups: the first group was composed of emergently admitted patients after ocular trauma, while the second group included subjects with decreased visual acuity in the late period.

Results:

The mean age of the patients was 12.97±13.16 years (range, 2.5-67). Most patients were children or young men. The most common etiological agents of penetrating ocular trauma were wood (30.8 %), sharp metal object (22%) and injector needle (8.8 %). The mean preoperative and postoperative visual acuities were 0.02±0.05 (Snellen) and 0.5±0.36, respectively. The mean visual improvement after traumatic cataract surgery and IOL implantation was statistically significant (p<0.05). Thirty-six eyes (53%) achieved final best-corrected visual acuity of 0.4 or better.

Discussion:

Satisfying results in visual outcome can be seen with appropriate treatment and close follow-up after traumatic cataract surgery in cases of penetrating corneal trauma with corneal healing achieved without suturing.

Keywords: Penetrating corneal trauma, traumatic cataract