Abstract

AIMS To identify the prevalence of psychiatric and adjustment problems after ocular trauma and those factors related to a poor outcome.

METHODS 47 patients were assessed by structured interview, of whom 45 satisfactorily completed three standardised self report measures of psychological functioning, subjective distress, and social adjustment.

RESULTS 33% of patients displayed psychiatric “caseness”. A number of features of the victim consistently resulted in poor outcome including a psychiatric history and peritraumatic dissociation.

CONCLUSION These preliminary findings suggest ocular trauma is associated with psychomorbidity and problems of adjustment. The improved management of such patients would benefit from a more detailed analysis by means of a longitudinal study involving larger samples.