ABSTRACT Purposes: To describe the clinical characteristics and factors associated with keratitis in patients with corneal foreign bodies in Colombia. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on a clinical records review of patients who had corneal foreign bodies and were admitted to the emergency department between June 2018 and June 2019 in Cali, Colombia. The primary outcome was the presence of keratitis diagnosed based on clinical criteria. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify associated factors. Results: A total of 381 corneal foreign bodies in 372 patients were analyzed (median age, 40.0; interquartile range, 29.0-53.0 years; male, 94.7% (n=352). Ninety-five patients developed keratitis (24.9%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 20.8%-29.5%). In the multivariate analysis, age 30 years (odds ratio [OR] 2.15, 95% CI 1.06-4.36), finding of aqueous flare (OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.39-5.66]), and a foreign body in the peripheral cornea (OR 2.05, 95% CI 1.19-3.50] were associated with an increased risk for keratitis. Sex, time between injury and admission, and corneal edema were not related to keratitis (p>0.05). Conclusion: In Cali, Colombia, a high proportion of keratitis was reported in patients with corneal foreign body. Age, an aqueous flare, and a foreign body in the peripheral cornea were the factors associated with keratitis.

RESUMO Objetivo: Descrever as características clínicas e os fatores associados à presença de ceratite em pacientes com corpos estranhos na córnea em uma população colombiana. Métodos: Trata-se de um estudo transversal baseado na revisão dos registros clínicos de pacientes com corpos estranhos na córnea admitidos em um departamento de emergência em Cali, Colômbia, entre junho de 2018 e junho de 2019. O desfecho primário foi a presença de ceratite diagnosticada através de critérios clínicos. Foram utilizados modelos de regressão logística univariada e multivariada para identificar os fatores associados. Resultado: Neste estudo, foi analisado um total de 381 corpos estranhos na córnea em 372 pacientes (idade média: 40,0 anos, intervalo interquartil: 29,0-53,0; sexo masculino: 94,7% [352 casos]). Noventa e cinco casos desenvolveram ceratite (24,9%, intervalo de confiança de 95% — IC 95%: 20,8%-29,5%). Na análise multivariada, para idade ≤30 anos (razão de chances — RC: 2,15, IC 95%: 1,06-4,36), o achado de flare aquoso (RC: 2,81, IC 95%: 1,39-5,66]) e a presença de corpo estranho na periferia da córnea (RC: 2,05, IC 95%: 1,19-3,50) foram associados a um risco aumentado de ceratite. Sexo, tempo entre a lesão e a internação, e edema da córnea não foram relacionados à ceratite (p>0,05). Conclusão: Há uma proporção elevada de ceratite em casos de corpos estranhos na córnea em Cali, Colômbia. Os três fatores associados à ceratite foram a idade, o achado de flare aquoso e a presença de corpo estranho na periferia da córnea.

Abstract Objective: To analyze eye diagnoses in children and adults admitted to an emergency room of a Latin American center. Method: Retrospective analysis of patients admitted to the emergency room of Hospital Universitario del Valle Evaristo García E.S.E in Cali, Colombia, from January 2015 through December 2020 due to eye conditions and disorders. Diagnoses were analyzed according to the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision. Results: A total of 7938 urgent visits due to eye diseases or disorders were analyzed. Of these 62.7% (n = 4974) were blunt eye traumas, and among the non-traumatic causes, 13.8% (n = 1099) were anterior segment injuries, and 9.5% (n = 757) were posterior segment injuries. The leading diagnoses were cornea/conjunctiva foreign body (n = 2697, 34.0%), followed by eye contusion (n = 952, 12.0%) and other disorders of the cornea/conjunctiva (n = 755, 9.5%). Among the foreign body visits, 5.1% (n = 137) were recurrent events. In patients under 18 years of age, more cases of contusions, eye burns, and tumors were reported compared to other age groups (P < .05). In patients over 65 years of age, more urgent visits due to conjunctival hemorrhage, secondary glaucoma, macular degeneration, and endophthalmitis were reported (P < .05). Conclusions: In children, adolescents, and adults, eye trauma was the most common cause for consultation in the study period, especially among men. The corneal foreign body was the most common mechanism. Visits due to anterior and posterior segment injuries were common in patients over 65 years.

Resumen Objetivo: Analizar los principales diagnósticos oculares en niños y adultos que consultaron al departamento de urgencias en un centro de alta complejidad latinoamericano. Método: Análisis retrospectivo de pacientes que consultaron al departamento de urgencias por causas oculares en el Hospital Universitario del Valle Evaristo García E.S.E en Cali, Colombia, entre enero de 2015 y diciembre de 2020. Se analizaron la información demográfica y los diagnósticos de consulta de acuerdo con la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades 10.ª revisión. Resultados: Se atendieron 7938 visitas urgentes por condiciones oculares, de las cuales el 62.7% (n = 4974) correspondieron a lesiones oculares traumáticas, y entre las causas no traumáticas el 13.8% (n = 1099) fueron por patologías del segmento anterior y el 9.5% (n = 757) por patologías del segmento posterior. Los tres primeros diagnósticos de consulta fueron cuerpo extraño en la córnea o la conjuntiva (n = 2697, 34.0%), trauma contuso (n = 952, 12.0%) y otras alteraciones de la córnea o de la conjuntiva (n = 755, 9.5%). El 5.1% (n = 137) de las consultas por cuerpo extraño correspondieron a eventos recurrentes. En pacientes menores de 18 años se encontró una mayor proporción de casos con traumas contusos, quemaduras y tumores oculares en comparación con otros grupos etarios (p < 0.05). En los mayores de 65 años se encontró un mayor porcentaje de visitas urgentes por hemorragia conjuntival, glaucoma secundario, degeneración macular y endoftalmitis (p < 0.05). Conclusiones: En niños, adolescentes y adultos, el trauma ocular fue el motivo de consulta más frecuente en el periodo de estudio, especialmente en los hombres. El cuerpo extraño en la córnea fue la causa más común. Las consultas por patologías del segmento anterior y posterior fueron más frecuentes en los mayores de 65 años.