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  • Domestic violence can be an unseen cause of ocular trauma

    Comprehensive Ophthalmology, Oculoplastics/Orbit

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    Review of: Epidemiologic pattern and injury mechanism of intimate partner violence–related ocular trauma in the US

    Alik M, Malik M, Ashrafi R, et al. JAMA Ophthalmology, in press 2023

    Using 2017–2019 data from the US National Trauma Data Bank, investigators assessed epidemiologic patterns of ocular trauma related to intimate partner violence (IPV).

    Study design

    This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of more than 3 million records. Injuries were examined in relation to patient demographics, such as age, race/ethnicity, insurance, and substance misuse.

    Outcomes

    Ocular injuries were noted in 508,976 records, of which 2598 were found to be associated with IPV. Sixty-two percent of those with IPV-related ocular injuries were women; 52% were White, 24% were Black, and 11% were Hispanic. Thirty-three percent had Medicaid as their primary insurance, and 19% had no insurance (self-pay). The most common IPV-related injuries were orbital fractures and eyelid contusion.

    Limitations

    Information was drawn from the National Trauma Data Bank, but the types/locations of hospitals comprising the 900+ institutions included in the data bank were not available. There may be a selection bias around which hospitals are included and which cases are submitted.

    Clinical significance

    In this study, the majority of IPV survivors with ocular injuries were female, White, and had Medicaid or no insurance. Oculoplastic surgeons and ophthalmologists may be among the first physicians to treat and recognize victims of IPV; therefore, it is important for these clinicians to keep IPV in mind when evaluating ocular trauma.

    Financial Disclosures: Dr. Anne Barmettler discloses no financial relationships.