Bird beak-related ocular injuries in southern India: Factors and visual implications

Purpose

To evaluate the visual outcomes and identify prognostic factors in patients with ocular bird beak injuries treated at a tertiary eye care center in South India.

Methods

We conducted a comprehensive analysis of patients with bird beak injuries, considering factors such as age, gender, mode of injury, and size of laceration. The affected eyes underwent detailed examinations using slit-lamp biomicroscopy, and B-scan ultrasonography was performed to assess the status of the posterior segment. Postoperatively, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured at the last follow-up visit.

Results

Our findings demonstrated significant improvements in visual outcomes, including BCVA and uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), over a follow-up period ranging from 1 week to 3 years (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in endophthalmitis, intraocular pressure (IOP), lens status, or retinal abnormalities during the study duration.

Conclusion

This retrospective study highlight the potential for favorable long-term visual improvement in patients with ocular injuries caused by bird beaks and emphasize the importance of timely intervention. Delayed surgical treatment and the requirement for multiple surgeries within the first week were found to negatively impact visual acuity. Hence, it is crucial to raise public awareness, particularly in rural areas, to prevent these potentially devastating injuries and ensure early intervention for optimal visual recovery.