The Importance of Sex Differences on Outcome after Major Trauma: Clinical Outcome in Women Versus Men

Cataracts after Ophthalmic and Nonophthalmic Trauma Exposure in Service Members, U.S. Armed Forces

ABSTRACT

IntroductionWe aimed to identify injury-related risk factors for secondary cataract incidence after eye and brain injury and polytrauma. We also examined the effect of direct and indirect eye injury management on cataract diagnosis and treatment. Prevention or mitigation strategies require knowledge of the causes and types of combat injuries, which will enable more appropriate targeting of resources toward prevention and more efficient management of such injuries.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data were gathered from the Military Health System using the Military Health System Management and Analysis Reporting Tool (M2) between 2017 and 2021 from inpatient and outpatient Service Members (SMs) (active duty and National Guard). The date of the first cataract diagnosis was tracked to estimate the annual incidence rate, and it was longitudinally linked to any prior diagnosis of ocular trauma (OT), traumatic brain injury (TBI), or polytrauma to calculate the relative risk. International Classification of Disease codes, 10th Revision, were used to identify those diagnosed with cataracts, TBI, and polytrauma. Defense and Veterans Eye Injury and Vision Registry data were used to examine SMs who sustained ocular injuries from 2003-2020 and who may have had cataract surgery following a cataract diagnosis.

RESULTS

The relative risk of traumatic cataract formation from OT, TBI, and polytrauma are 5.71 (95% CI, 5.05-6.42), 2.32 (95% CI, 2.03-2.63), and 8.95 (95% CI, 6.23-12.38), respectively. Traumatic cataracts in SMs more commonly result from open-globe injuries (70%) than closed-globe injuries (30%). By specific sub-injury type, traumatic cataracts occur most frequently from intraocular foreign bodies (22%). More than 400 patients in the cohort suffered from TBI and traumatic cataracts, more than 300 from OT and cataracts, and more than 20 from polytrauma and cataracts. The battlefield is the riskiest environment for trauma exposure, with 62% of OT occurring in combat. There was a statistically significant difference between the mean visual acuity value before cataract surgery (M = 1.17, SD = 0.72) and the mean visual acuity value after cataract surgery (M = 0.44, SD = 0.66, P < .001).

CONCLUSION

Traumatic cataracts often occur in SMs who sustain ocular injuries. New to the literature is that relationships exist between traumatic cataract formation and nonglobe trauma, specifically TBI and polytrauma. Ocular injury calls for an ophthalmic examination. A low threshold should exist for routine ocular exam consultation in the setting of TBI and polytrauma. Separately, polytrauma patients should undergo a review of systems questions, particularly questions about the ocular and visual pathways. A positive response to screening warrants further investigation of possible ocular pathology, including traumatic cataract formation. Cataract surgery is an effective treatment in improving the vision of SMs who suffer from traumatic cataracts. Constant effort must be made to limit occurrences of occupation-related traumatic cataracts.

Evolving concepts and strategies in the management of polytrauma patients

Major trauma is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in young adults. The impact of disability on the quality of life and functionality in this younger population is worrisome. This remains a major public health concern across the globe. Immediate and early deaths account for nearly 80% of trauma deaths occurring within the first few hours of injury to the first few days, usually because of traumatic brain injury or major exsanguination and subsequently due to shock or hypoxia. Worldwide adoption of comprehensive trauma systems and evolving models of trauma care including prehospital interventions have led improvements in trauma and critical care over the last few decades. Resuscitation and damage control orthopaedics are two key pillars in the management of polytrauma patient. Trauma-related coagulopathy can be an emerging complication during resuscitation of such patients which should be recognized early so appropriate corrective measures can be undertaken. We describe the evolving models of care in the management of polytrauma and trauma associated coagulopathy.