Does blunt ocular trauma induce corneal astigmatism?

Purpose: To determine the effect of blunt ocular trauma on refractive astigmatism. Methods: Eighty-six eyes of 86 patients with known previous refractive status exposed to blunt ocular trauma were included in the study. Trauma-induced astigmatism (TIA) was calculated using vector analysis. In eyes with TIA, central corneal thickness was assessed by ultrasound pachymetry, and corneal topographies were obtained. Anterior-chamber angles were examined by Goldmann 3-mirror lens to find microhemorrhages, scarring, or recession. Patients were followed up between 8 and 12 months (average, 9.2 months). Results: In 18 eyes (21%), TIA was detected. Six (7%) of these eyes had lenticular astigmatism caused by traumatic lens subluxation. In the remaining 12 eyes (14%), corneal topography showed regular astigmatic patterns, which were symmetrical in 3 eyes and asymmetric in the remaining 9. The etiologic factor was a game marble in 6 eyes and a stone in the remaining 6. The mean central corneal thickness was 535.75 mu m (range, 498-570 mu m) in these 12 eyes. In 9 of these 12 eyes, recession or scarring in the anterior-chamber angle was detected at 1 edge of the steepest axis. Conclusions: Blunt trauma can induce astigmatism. Hard and small objects are more likely to induce astigmatism.