Detection and Referral of Orbital and Ocular Injuries Associated With Intimate Partner Violence Following an Educational and Screening Initiative in an Emergency Department.

IMPORTANCE: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a substantial cause of morbidity and mortality in the US. Previous studies indicate gaps in identifying and referring female patients with IPV-associated orbital and ocular injuries to ancillary services. OBJECTIVE: To determine the number of IPV-associated orbital floor fractures, zygomaticomaxillary complex (ZMC) fractures, and ruptured globes referred to ancillary services in adult female patients following an educational and screening intervention to health care professionals. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This single-center retrospective quality improvement analysis examined electronic medical records of adult female patients seen in a single level 1 trauma center emergency department and ophthalmology clinic between January 2015 and February 2019, after the initiative began. Female adults who sustained orbital floor fractures, ZMC fractures, or ruptured globes were included. Preinitiative data were previously collected between January 1995 and January 2015 on adult female patients and published. Data analysis for this study occurred from May 2020 to September 2020. INTERVENTIONS: A 2-part, ongoing initiative began January 2015. First, enhancement of IPV screening protocols in the emergency department was conducted. Second, an educational campaign on IPV injury patterns was presented to residents and faculty in ophthalmology, emergency, otolaryngology, and trauma departments. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES: Comparison of ancillary service involvement preinitiative (January 1995 to January 2015) and postinitiative (January 2015 to February 2019). RESULTS: A total of 216 adult female patients (mean [SD] age, 55.0 [22.7] years; age range, 18-99 years) sustained orbital floor or ZMC fractures postinitiative. A total of 22 of 216 (10.2%) sustained fractures from IPV compared with 31 of 405 (7.6%) preinitiative (95% CI, -2.2% to 7.3%; P = .28). Documented social work referrals (11 of 31 preinitiative vs 20 of 22 postinitiative; difference, 55% [95% CI, 35%-76%]; P < .001), homegoing safety assessments (1 of 31 preinitiative vs 18 of 22 postinitiative; difference, 79% [95% CI, 61%-96%]; P < .001), and law enforcement involvement (7 of 21 preinitiative vs 16 of 22 postinitiative; difference, 50% [95% CI, 26%-74%]; P < .001) were higher in patients who presented after the initiative with orbital floor and ZMC fractures. A total of 51 adult female patients (mean [SD] age, 57.7 [20.8] years; age range 20-93 years) sustained ruptured globes postinitiative. A total of 5 of 51 patients (9.8%) sustained injury due to IPV postinitiative, compared with 5 of 141 (3.5%) preinitiative (95% patients, -2.5% to 15.0%; P = .08). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Following the start of the initiative, referral patterns of adult female patients with IPV-associated orbital fractures improved. Targeted IPV screening of patients with orbital and ocular injuries is essential for effective intervention.

Intimate partner violence as a mechanism of traumatic ocular injury in women.

OBJECTIVE: Determine the prevalence of intimate partner violence (IPV) as a mechanism of traumatic ocular injury in women, typical injury patterns, and the clinical course of affected patients. Encourage IPV screening and safety assessment in patients presenting with characteristic ocular trauma. METHODS: Medical records of 211 female patients with traumatic ocular injuries evaluated at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics between January 1995 and January 2015 were reviewed to determine the rate of IPV as a mechanism of ocular trauma. Twenty-one patients were excluded due to no documented trauma. RESULTS: Leading causes of traumatic ocular injuries in the 190 female patients included were accidental trauma with an inanimate object (n = 70/190, 36.8%), falls (n = 52/190, 27.4%), motor vehicle collisions (n = 21/190, 11.1%), and assault (n = 16/190, 8.4%). In 2.1% of cases (n = 4/190), no mechanism of traumatic injury was documented. Assault was the fourth leading mechanism of injury accounting for 8.4% of cases (n = 16/190), with IPV accounting for more than one third of cases with a documented perpetrator (n = 5/13). No perpetrator was documented in 18.8% (n = 3/16). All 5 patients with IPV-related injuries sustained scleral laceration or rupture; 4 out of 5 patients had no light perception vision and ultimately required enucleation. CONCLUSION: IPV is an important mechanism of traumatic ocular injury. IPV-associated injuries tend to be severe in nature, as demonstrated by the high rate of globe laceration or rupture and subsequent enucleation in the study population. By appropriate screening and referral, ophthalmologists have an opportunity to redirect a potentially devastating course.

Intimate partner violence in ophthalmology: a global call to action.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Despite increasing public awareness of IPV, little information is available regarding the prevalence, associated injury patterns, and impact of IPV as a mechanism of ocular and orbital trauma. The purpose of this review is to summarize the literature regarding the impact of IPV in ophthalmology and provide team members with guidance on appropriate practices for screening and referral. RECENT FINDINGS: Data from 48 population-based studies estimates that the lifetime prevalence of IPV ranges from 10 to 69% among women internationally. Head, neck, or facial trauma is 7.5 times more likely in female patients presenting to the emergency department than female patients with other injury patterns. Forty-five percent of injuries acquired from IPV involve the eyes. IPV is the third leading cause of orbital fractures and traumatic ocular injuries from IPV tend to be severe in nature with a large percent of women sustaining scleral rupture. SUMMARY: The high prevalence of IPV as a mechanism of orbital and ocular injury demands training all members of the ophthalmology team in identifying IPV, providing support, and making appropriate referrals to improve patient safety and well-being.