Occurrence of ocular disease in traumatic brain injury in a selected sample: a retrospective analysis

Primary objective: To determine retrospectively the relative risk of ocular disease in a selected, visually-symptomatic sample of clinic patients having traumatic brain injury (TBI; n = 160) vs. cerebrovascular accident (CVA; n = 60), with all initially presenting at the clinic with symptoms and/or signs of vision dysfunction.

Methods and procedures: To review retrospectively 220 medical records of individuals with TBI (n = 160) vs. CVA (n = 60), as determined by a computer-based query spanning the years 2000-2003, to ascertain the frequency of occurrence of ocular disease in the two major sub-groups of acquired brain injury.

Main outcomes and results: Conditions with high relative risk unique to TBI included corneal abrasion, blepharitis, chalazion/hordeolum, dry eye, traumatic cataract, vitreal prolapse and optic atrophy. This is distinct from those ophthalmic conditions unique to CVA, which included sub-conjunctival haemorrhage and ptosis.

Conclusion: These new findings should alert clinicians to the potential increased frequency of occurrence of specific ocular diseases in a selected, visually-symptomatic population with TBI and their associated rehabilitative and quality-of-life implications.