Ali A Taqi Al-Saffar, Ari S Hussein and Niyaz M Jamal
Traumatic hyphema are important as they are fairly common following blunt trauma and they are increasing nowadays. Most results from unnecessary eye injuries, especially in children, which are largely preventable.
Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate the final unaided visual acuity and the intraocular pressure level on discharge of blunt traumatic hyphema management, and to compare between grade 1 hyphema (low risk, hyphema filling less than half of the anterior chamber) and grade 2 hyphema (high risk, hyphema filling more than half of the anterior chamber) or hyphema associated with a high intraocular pressure regarding the final visual outcome on discharge.
Statistical analysis: Analyzed for frequencies using the (Epi Info) program which is public domain statistical software for epidemiology developed by centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta, Georgia (USA). Other results were analyzed using statistical package for social science (SPSS) software (version 13).
Materials and methods: The design of the study was a retrospective (descriptive) survey of all blunt traumatic hyphema patients admitted in Shaheed Dr. Aso Eye Hospital in Sulaimaniya City, Kurdistan Region of Iraq during the period of January 1, 2008 to December 31, 2008.
During the period of the study the medical records of 54 patients, who were admitted due to blunt traumatic hyphema, were retrieved and studies thoroughly regarding their examination notes (unaided visual acuity, level of intraocular pressure and slit-lamp examination) and management (medical and surgical) through their admission days in hospital.