Increased Number and Severity of Open Globe Injuries during COVID-19 Stay-at-home Orders

Marika Yumang, Claudine Yee, Ross M. Passo, Alison H. Skalet

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the occurrence and outcome of open globe injury during state-mandated COVID-19 stay-at-home orders compared to historical averages at a tertiary medical center in Portland, Oregon. Methods: Open globe injury between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2020 was identified using relevant procedure codes. The number of injuries, mechanism of trauma, and short-term outcomes of globes repaired during the study period of March 23, 2020 to July 6, 2020 when stay-at-home orders were in effect were compared to a cohort from the same 15-week time frame in 2015–2019. We also evaluated injuries occurring throughout 2020 as compared to the prior 5 years. Results: 263 consecutive open globe injuries were identified between January 2015 and December 2020. While Oregon’s stay-at-home orders were in effect, we observed a significant increase in the number of open globe injuries treated compared to the prior 5 years (p = .004). Twenty-four cases identified during the study period represent a 2-fold increase over the 2015–2019 average of 11.8 globe repairs during the same 15-week time period. Visual acuity < 20/200 at 6 months (p = .008) and secondary enucleation (p < .001) were more frequent during stay-at-home orders, and severity of injury as calculated by the Ocular Trauma Scores (OTS) was higher. Time-to-repair was similar between the two cohorts. Conclusion: At our center, there was an increased number and severity of open globe injury during the period of mandatory COVID-19 stay-at-home orders. Visual acuity outcomes and risk for secondary enucleation were poorer compared to the reference cohort. Abbreviations: Ocular Trauma Score (OTS), Open globe injury (OGI), Emergency department (ED), Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)532-536
Number of pages5
JournalOphthalmic Epidemiology
Volume30
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2023

Keywords

  • COVID
  • Open globe injury
  • globe
  • injuries
  • severity

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Epidemiology
  • Ophthalmology

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