Ruptured globe or open globe injury is a serious form of eye trauma necessitating urgent evaluation. Understanding the symptoms and seeking our eye doctors' expertise can help preserve your vision.
A ruptured globe, also referred to as an open globe injury, is a serious eye trauma characterized by a full-thickness disruption of the eyewall that can threaten vision and overall eye health. It is most often seen in high-velocity blunt injuries or lacerations caused by sharp objects and requires immediate evaluation and treatment. Recognizing and understanding this condition is essential for anyone who has experienced significant ocular trauma, as timely care from our eye doctors can make a major difference in preserving vision.
A ruptured globe or open globe injury is defined as a full-thickness wound of the eye’s protective layers—the sclera and/or cornea. These injuries can occur either as a result of blunt trauma causing an inside-out explosion of intraocular contents or from a direct, sharp object impact causing an outside-in laceration. In both cases, the integrity of the eye is compromised, which can lead to the extrusion of internal tissues and a heightened risk of infection and other complications.
In cases of blunt trauma, such as a forceful hit by a blunt object, the eye is pressed against the orbital bones. The eye’s interior is filled with an incompressible fluid, and when force is rapidly applied, the intraocular pressure spikes dramatically. This sudden increase in pressure may lead the eyewall to rupture at its weakest point—frequently near the sclera adjacent to the rectus muscle insertions or at sites of previous surgical incisions. Here’s the thing: even if the impact does not occur at the exact site of the rupture, the mechanism remains an “inside-out” explosion that can force internal tissues outward.
Lacerating injuries involve a direct cut or tear through the eyeball’s wall by a sharp object. Unlike blunt trauma, where the injury is a consequence of increased pressure, lacerations are caused by an external force that creates an “outside-in” mechanism. These injuries are further classified as:
These distinct injury types help our eye doctors determine the best course of treatment, as each carries its own both diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.
If you or someone you know has sustained an eye injury, contact us immediately for expert care from our eye doctors.
The eye is a remarkable structure filled with liquid and delicate tissues that perform vital visual functions. When the intraocular pressure increases abruptly due to trauma, especially in the case of blunt force, the pressure may overcome the tensile strength of the eyewall at its weakest points. Frequently, rupture occurs at the posterior aspects of the eye where the sclera is typically thinnest, or at areas weakened by prior surgery.
This high-pressure event causes tissue herniation along with hemorrhage, choroidal ruptures, and retinal detachment. Such internal injuries can complicate recovery, as the damaged tissues may initiate an aggressive healing response that further threatens the eye’s functional integrity. The damage is not limited to a single layer; often, the internal milieu of the eye is disrupted, leading to further complications such as vitreous hemorrhage and inflammatory responses.
There are several factors that can increase the risk of sustaining a ruptured globe or open globe injury. Past ocular surgeries, such as cataract removal, glaucoma filtering procedures, and corneal transplants, are known to leave the eye more vulnerable to trauma. In the months following such surgeries, the wound strength is significantly reduced compared to that of a healthy eye, leaving it at risk for rupture even with minor impacts.
Additionally, the epidemiology of these injuries reveals notable trends. Studies indicate that males, particularly those between the ages of 10 and 30, are more frequently affected—often due to work-related or recreational exposure to high-speed impacts. Conversely, in individuals over 75, even a ground-level fall can lead to globe rupture, particularly when the eye has undergone previous surgical intervention. Our eye doctors consider these risk factors carefully when evaluating patients and advising on preventative measures.
If you or someone you know has sustained an eye injury, contact us immediately for expert care from our eye doctors.
A ruptured globe is a serious eye trauma that requires immediate care from specialized eye doctors to preserve vision. Timely treatment is crucial.
