From Emergency Suturing To Gore-Tex Fixation: Timely Management Of A Penetrating Ocular Trauma
Published 2026 - 44th Congress of the ESCRS
Reference: POCAT101 | Type: Case Report | DOI: 10.82333/zvx8-2k13
Authors: Dr Antonia Carmen Sangregorio* 1 , Dr Emanuele Tonti 2 , Dr Serena De Turris 2 , Prof. Lucia Ziccardi 3 , Prof. Roberto Dell'Omo 4
1Department of Ophthalmology,University of Catanzaro,Catanzaro,Italy, 2Department of Ophthalmology,Cardarelli Hospital,Campobasso,Italy, 3University of Molise,Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “Vincenzo Tiberio”,Campobasso,Italy;IRCCS Fondazione G.B. Bietti,Unit of Neurophthalmology and Genetic Diseases of the Eye,Roma,Italy, 4Department of Ophthalmology,Cardarelli Hospital,Campobasso,Italy;Department of Medicine and Health Sciences “Vincenzo Tiberio”,University of Molise,Campobasso,Italy
Purpose
To describe the surgical management of a penetrating ocular trauma treated with corneal wound suturing followed by pars plana vitrectomy combined with scleral-fixated intraocular lens (IOL) implantation using Gore-Tex sutures.
Setting
Retrospective analysis of a clinical case. A 27-year-old male patient presented to the ophthalmology Emergency Department with a penetrating injury to the right eye caused by a metallic foreign body, associated with iris involvement and extrusion of lenticular material.
Report of case
Preoperative examination revealed: visual acuity (VA) of hand motion, ocular hypotony, a full-thickness linear corneal wound extending from 3 to 9 o’clock with iris prolapse, a flat anterior chamber, and traumatic cataract.
Emergency surgery consisted of repositioning of the iris and restoration of the anterior chamber using viscoelastic, closure of the corneal wound with interrupted 10-0 nylon sutures. At the end of the procedure, the anterior chamber was restored, intraocular pressure stabilized, and the Seidel test was negative. Postoperative therapy included topical cycloplegic, corticosteroid, and antibiotic treatment.
Four months later, due to capsular remnant opacification in post-traumatic aphakia and posterior capsule rupture, pars plana vitrectomy was performed with removal of capsular remnants and secondary implantation of a scleral-fixated IOL using Gore-Tex sutures. On the first postoperative day, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 3/10 with pinhole, intraocular pressure was 15 mmHg, the optic disc appeared pink with sharp margins, and the retina was attached in all quadrants.
Conclusion/Take home message
Visual recovery was gradual over the following weeks. BCVA improved to 3/10 with pinhole at one month and to 5/10 at six months postoperatively. No infectious complications or wound dehiscence were observed during the follow-up period.
CONCLUSIONS
Early corneal suturing represents the main prognostic factor for preserving anatomical integrity in penetrating ocular trauma. Subsequent management of post-traumatic aphakia with scleral-fixated IOL implantation using Gore-Tex sutures allowed satisfactory functional recovery.