title: Outcomes of delayed vitrectomy in open-globe injuries in young patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The timing of vitrectomy for severe penetrating eye injury to the posterior segment remains controversial; this is particularly pertinent if patients are children and young adults. We present our results of the surgical procedure in young patients after penetrating eye injury using a delayed approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  Noncomparative interventional study of patients up to 29 years of age who had vitreoretinal surgery for penetrating eye injury. Surgical procedure was performed in seven eyes of six patients. Posterior vitrectomy was performed because of hemophthalmos after waiting for a mean of 49 days (range, 17-90 days) after posterior vitreous detachment was confirmed on ultrasound examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean postoperative follow-up period was 22 months (range, 9-35 months). Of the 7 patients, 6 (85.7%) achieved visual acuity (Snellen acuity) of 6/12 or better and 4 eyes (57.1%) reached 6/6. At the last follow-up, all patients were pseudophakic, 2 required secondary lens implants, and retinal detachment developed in 1 patient.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This consecutive case series underlines the fact that a delayed approach is compatible with good visual prognosis in relatively young patients.
authors.affiliation: Vitreoretinal Service, St. Paul's Eye Department, Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Liverpool, UK. teresa_sandinha@robinsonlloyd.com
authors.forename: Maria T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Sandinha
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Theodor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Stappler
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009887:Ophthalmoscopy; D057972:Posterior Eye Segment / Q000293:injuries*; D019591:Pseudophakia / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000379:methods*; D020255:Vitreous Detachment / Q000601:surgery; D055815:Young Adult