Traumatic hyphema : a study of 40 cases

الملخص EN

Background Hyphema is a relatively common problem in our society with complications and risk sequels.

No study has been conducted on this problem in Kurdistan region.

Objectives to detect common causes of ocular trauma in Dohuk governorate and to detect the most vulnerable age group involved with the visual acuity outcome after treatment.

Methods The study was conducted in Azadi General Teaching Hospital and the Emergency Hospital / Dohuk / Kurdistan region, from June 2006 to June 2007.

A follow-up clinical study of patients presenting with traumatized eyes with hyphema was conducted.

The study included 40 patients of traumatic hyphema out of 137 cases of ocular trauma.

Ocular examinations (visual acuity, intra ocular pressure, fundoscopy and others) were done for all patients at presentation and subsequently during the follow-up.

Results The annual prevalence rate of traumatic hyphema in Dohuk governorate was about 5 per 100.000 individuals.

The study showed a male predominance.

A total of 35% of cases were encountered among children aged (6 – 10) years.

Blunt trauma was observed in (60%) of patients while the other (40%) had penetrating traumas.

A total of (90%) of females suffered from penetrating trauma while males were injured by blunt trauma more frequently.

The left eye was relatively more frequently involved (55%) than the right.

A total of 37 eyes regained acceptable final visual acuity, while two eyes progressed to no light perception, and one eye had just light perception.

Conclusions and Recommendations Tranexamic acid was found to reduce re-bleeding in our cases.

Increased intraocular pressure is one of the most frequent complications of traumatic hyphema that may ultimately result in impaired vision.

Complete eye examination is essential to assess concomitant injuries which reflect the severity of initial trauma