Through the Eyes of Trauma – Understanding Ocular Injuries and Orbital Fractures in Road Traffic Accidents

Aim: To study the spectrum of ophthalmic manifestations and visual outcomes in patients with orbital wall fracture following road traffic accidents (RTAs). Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted over 2 years at a tertiary eye care centre in Puducherry. Based on computed tomograp...

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Main Authors: Mohan Abhirrami, R Parthibavijayan, Sridhar Baratan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2025-04-01
Series:TNOA Journal of Ophthalmic Science and Research
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/tjosr.tjosr_37_25
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author Mohan Abhirrami
R Parthibavijayan
Sridhar Baratan
author_facet Mohan Abhirrami
R Parthibavijayan
Sridhar Baratan
author_sort Mohan Abhirrami
collection DOAJ
description Aim: To study the spectrum of ophthalmic manifestations and visual outcomes in patients with orbital wall fracture following road traffic accidents (RTAs). Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted over 2 years at a tertiary eye care centre in Puducherry. Based on computed tomography scans, 140 patients were grouped into no wall, single wall, two-wall, and three or more wall fractures. Ophthalmic evaluations were done on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 and at 1st and 3rd months. Ocular trauma score (OTS) was used to assess severity of injury and visual prognosis. Results: Among 140 patients, 122 (87.1%) were males and 18 (12.9%) females. Closed globe injuries predominated. Common adnexal observations included periorbital oedema with ecchymosis (47%) and subconjunctival haemorrhage (64.5%) in the anterior segment. Commotio retinae was the most frequent posterior segment finding (18.6%) and the leading cause of visual loss, followed by traumatic optic neuropathy (8.6%) and vitreous haemorrhage (6.4%). Lateral wall fractures were most common (71.4%) with mid-facial fractures often associated. The main causes of injury were falls from two-wheelers (33.6%) and collisions (25%). Good visual prognosis (OTS 5) was observed in 79.28% of patients, while poorer outcomes were associated with three-wall fractures. Most affected individuals had not used protective measures. Conclusion: Orbital wall fractures and ocular injuries following RTAs are a major cause of avoidable visual morbidity. Promoting road safety and increasing public awareness particularly regarding the consistent use of protective gear such as helmets and seatbelts is crucial in reducing the incidence and severity of traffic-related injuries.
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spelling doaj-art-4c5e6ae0de1c49f7aa49af708df7d3a52025-07-04T10:48:20ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsTNOA Journal of Ophthalmic Science and Research2589-45282589-45362025-04-0163219219610.4103/tjosr.tjosr_37_25Through the Eyes of Trauma – Understanding Ocular Injuries and Orbital Fractures in Road Traffic AccidentsMohan AbhirramiR ParthibavijayanSridhar BaratanAim: To study the spectrum of ophthalmic manifestations and visual outcomes in patients with orbital wall fracture following road traffic accidents (RTAs). Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted over 2 years at a tertiary eye care centre in Puducherry. Based on computed tomography scans, 140 patients were grouped into no wall, single wall, two-wall, and three or more wall fractures. Ophthalmic evaluations were done on days 1, 3, 7, and 14 and at 1st and 3rd months. Ocular trauma score (OTS) was used to assess severity of injury and visual prognosis. Results: Among 140 patients, 122 (87.1%) were males and 18 (12.9%) females. Closed globe injuries predominated. Common adnexal observations included periorbital oedema with ecchymosis (47%) and subconjunctival haemorrhage (64.5%) in the anterior segment. Commotio retinae was the most frequent posterior segment finding (18.6%) and the leading cause of visual loss, followed by traumatic optic neuropathy (8.6%) and vitreous haemorrhage (6.4%). Lateral wall fractures were most common (71.4%) with mid-facial fractures often associated. The main causes of injury were falls from two-wheelers (33.6%) and collisions (25%). Good visual prognosis (OTS 5) was observed in 79.28% of patients, while poorer outcomes were associated with three-wall fractures. Most affected individuals had not used protective measures. Conclusion: Orbital wall fractures and ocular injuries following RTAs are a major cause of avoidable visual morbidity. Promoting road safety and increasing public awareness particularly regarding the consistent use of protective gear such as helmets and seatbelts is crucial in reducing the incidence and severity of traffic-related injuries.https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/tjosr.tjosr_37_25ocular injuriesorbital fracturesrta
spellingShingle Mohan Abhirrami
R Parthibavijayan
Sridhar Baratan
Through the Eyes of Trauma – Understanding Ocular Injuries and Orbital Fractures in Road Traffic Accidents
TNOA Journal of Ophthalmic Science and Research
ocular injuries
orbital fractures
rta
title Through the Eyes of Trauma – Understanding Ocular Injuries and Orbital Fractures in Road Traffic Accidents
title_full Through the Eyes of Trauma – Understanding Ocular Injuries and Orbital Fractures in Road Traffic Accidents
title_fullStr Through the Eyes of Trauma – Understanding Ocular Injuries and Orbital Fractures in Road Traffic Accidents
title_full_unstemmed Through the Eyes of Trauma – Understanding Ocular Injuries and Orbital Fractures in Road Traffic Accidents
title_short Through the Eyes of Trauma – Understanding Ocular Injuries and Orbital Fractures in Road Traffic Accidents
title_sort through the eyes of trauma understanding ocular injuries and orbital fractures in road traffic accidents
topic ocular injuries
orbital fractures
rta
url https://journals.lww.com/10.4103/tjosr.tjosr_37_25
work_keys_str_mv AT mohanabhirrami throughtheeyesoftraumaunderstandingocularinjuriesandorbitalfracturesinroadtrafficaccidents
AT rparthibavijayan throughtheeyesoftraumaunderstandingocularinjuriesandorbitalfracturesinroadtrafficaccidents
AT sridharbaratan throughtheeyesoftraumaunderstandingocularinjuriesandorbitalfracturesinroadtrafficaccidents