Visual prognosis poor in abusive head trauma patients undergoing vitrectomy

Patients with abuse head trauma (AHT) who need vitrectomy generally have a poor visual prognosis despite high rates of retinal attachment, according to a study.

In this retrospective study, 14 children (18 eyes) with AHT who underwent vitrectomy were included. Vitreous hemorrhage (n = 6) was the most common reason for surgery. Approximately 94% of eyes had retinal attachment at the patient’s final visit, with 72% having best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) less than 20/200 after vitrectomy.

Optic nerve atrophy was significantly associated with a poor visual prognosis after vitrectomy in children with AHT.

Reference
Ho MC, Wu AL, Wang NK, et al. Surgical Outcome and Prognostic Factors Following Ophthalmic Surgery in Abusive Head Trauma. Retina. 2022;doi: 10.1097/IAE.0000000000003421. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35125478.