Globe and adnexal trauma at Australian trauma centres.

Introduction: In multisystem trauma, the assessment and management of globe and adnexal trauma is often complex. Ophthalmology input may assist managing such patients. To understand the role of ophthalmology in tertiary trauma centres we report on the management of globe and adnexal trauma at two tertiary trauma centres in Sydney, Australia.

Method: A retrospective case series was completed at Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital (RPAH) on patients admitted between January 2015 and December 2019. International Classification of Disease, Tenth Revision codes, diagnostic and procedural coding data were used to identify patients admitted with globe and/or adnexal trauma. Data extracted from medical records included demographics, mechanism of injury, ocular examination and specialist ophthalmic referral.

Results: Over 5-years, 773 patients, average age of 53.2years and 62% male, were admitted to RNSH and RPAH with globe and/or adnexal trauma. Most patients (83%) first presented to RNSH or RPAH. The most common mechanism of injury was falls (45%) followed by burns (13%). Two-hundred and thirty-five patients had multisystem trauma, of these patients, 121 (51%) suffered globe trauma with 49 (21%) classified as severe. Three patients were not diagnosed initially due to delayed ophthalmology referral.

Conclusion: Falls followed by burns were common causes of globe and adnexal trauma in Sydney, Australia. The presence of orbital/mid-facial injury may indicate a patient has globe trauma. In multisystem trauma, globe trauma may be diagnosed late or not identified. Ophthalmology review has an important role in diagnosing and managing globe trauma in multisystem trauma.