Pars plana vitrectomy for severe penetrating injury with posterior segment involvement.

We studied 50 consecutive cases of severe penetrating ocular trauma with posterior segment involvement for which vitreous surgery and scleral buckling were performed as secondary reparative procedures. Eyes with a better prognosis, such as those with anterior segment injuries alone and intraocular foreign bodies, were excluded. Of 50 eyes, 31 (62%) had a successful outcome. There was a significant difference in visual outcome between those eyes that had received blunt and sharp penetrating trauma. Visual acuity of 20/50 or better was more frequently attained in eyes with sharp penetrating trauma (P = .002). Thirty-three eyes had initial retinal detachment; 17 (52%) were successfully repaired. Blunt penetrating trauma produced retinal detachment more frequently than sharp penetrating trauma (22 of 29 vs 11 of 21). Retinal detachment was more often successfully repaired after sharp penetrating trauma (8 of 11 vs 9 of 22). Contusive damage to the choroid and retina limited final visual and anatomic results after blunt rupture of the globe.