Long-term outcomes of pediatric traumatic cataracts and retinal detachments due to self-inflicted injuries

Abstract

Purpose

To report the characteristics and longitudinal visual outcomes of traumatic cataracts and retinal detachments in children with self-inflicted injury.

Methods

A retrospective case series of pediatric patients at a tertiary care center who sustained ocular trauma due to self-inflicted injury between 2000 and 2014.

Results

A total of 11 children, all with an intellectual disability and a mean age of 10 ± 4.8 years (range, 2.8–16.2), were identified with traumatic cataract secondary to ocular self-inflicted injury over the study period. Five eyes had a concurrent unilateral retinal detachment. Over the course of follow-up, one additional eye developed a cataract and five eyes developed a retinal detachment. Patients underwent an average of 2.5 ± 2.3 procedures and 17.1 ± 10.7 eye examinations over 11.7 ± 4.2 years of follow-up; 36% required general anesthesia for examination. Visual acuity was improved or preserved in 77% of the eyes that underwent surgical interventions, but was worse in the remaining cases due to development of traumatic retinal detachment. The use of protective helmets, eye shields, and immobilizing orthoses were essential in management of active self-inflicted injury.

Conclusion

Traumatic cataracts and retinal detachments due to self-inflicted injury may cause severe visual loss. Visual prognosis although poor in children with severe intellectual disabilities may be optimized with risk awareness for early detection and customized interventions.