Clinical Features and Outcomes of Fishing-Related Ocular Injuries

Abstract

Purpose: To report the clinical features and outcomes in eyes with fishing-related ocular injury. Methods: We performed a retrospective, consecutive case series of all eyes evaluated at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between January 1, 2013, and January 1, 2023, with a history of fishing-related ocular trauma. Results: The study cohort included 75 eyes. The cause of injury included contact with a fishhook in 27 eyes (37%), sinker in 26 (35%), and fishing pole in 7 (10%). Open-globe injury occurred in 17 (23%) eyes, and endophthalmitis was suspected preoperatively or intraoperatively in 3 (18%) of these eyes. Eyes with fishhook injuries were more likely to sustain an open-globe injury (13/24 [54%]) compared with those with non-fishhook injuries (4/44 [9%]; P < .001). Eyes with open-globe injury had worse mean best-corrected visual acuity during their last follow-up examination (1.4 logMAR [Snellen equivalent 20/501]) compared with eyes without open-globe injury (0.46 logMAR [Snellen equivalent 20/58]; P = .002). When documented, 5 (42%) of 12 eyes with open-globe injuries received intraoperative intravitreal antibiotics, while 5 (42%) eyes with injuries localized to the anterior segment received intracameral antibiotics. Eleven (92%) of 12 patients with open-globe injury underwent repair on an outpatient basis and were discharged on the day of surgery without intravenous antibiotics. There were no newly diagnosed cases of endophthalmitis in the postoperative period. Conclusions: Poor visual outcomes occurred most commonly after open-globe injuries caused by fishhooks. Most eyes with open-globe injuries received intracameral or intravitreal antibiotics at the time of surgical treatment, without postoperative inpatient admission or intravenous antibiotics, and no cases of postoperative endophthalmitis were observed.