Epidemiological profile of pediatric ocular trauma in a tertiary hospital of northern India

Abstract

PurposeOcular trauma is one of the most common causes of acquired blindness in children. It measures about 8%-14% of total childhood injuries. This study aims to determine the epidemiological profile of ocular trauma in the pediatric age group attending a tertiary hospital in northern India.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted in our hospital between June 2014 to July 2015 and all the children aged 0-16 years presenting with ocular trauma in eye outpatient department and emergency were enrolled in the study. Various epidemiological parameters like age, sex distribution, duration of presentation, mode of injury, type of injury and final visual outcome were analyzed.ResultsOf total 357 patients, 271 (76%) were below the age of 12 years; 41.1% of children with ocular trauma belonged to age group 2-6 years. The male to female ratio was 2.9:1. Out of total patients, 242 (67.8%) presented with closed globe injury. Among the closed globe injury, the history of fall was present in about 35% of children, followed by trauma while playing with bat/ball (15.7%) and finger nail trauma (13.2%). Among open globe injury, trauma with needle, knife, glass and pen were common causes. Home was the most common place of injury (47.8%), followed by streets (17.9%) and playground (14.9%).ConclusionChildren are vulnerable to ocular trauma and need more supervision. Sharp objects like needles, knives, household chemicals like acids should be out of reach of children.

<p>Ocular Trauma in Pediatric Age Group at a Tertiary Eye Care Center in Central Maharashtra, India</p>

“…Open globe injuries present more potential for poor vision than the closed globe injuries. 3,11,[21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28] In our study, six patients presented with NPL, and five remained NPL after surgical repair of the perforation site. Poor prognosis in these patients could be due to repeated surgical interventions, development of secondary glaucoma, and/or endophthalmitis.…”

“…This observation correlates with Qayum et al, who also found that sports-related injuries are common with respect to closed globe injuries, and wooden stick injuries were found in open globe. 28 Most of the studies demonstrate the wooden stick as a common cause of injury. 11,21,26,29 Availability of wooden material in the vicinity of the house could be the reason for this finding.…”

<p>Epidemiology of Eye Injuries Resulting in Hospitalization, a Referral Hospital-Based Study</p>

“…A total of 249 patients, with a median (range) follow-up period of 7.8 (3)(4)(5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12)(13)(14) months, were included in this study. Two hundred and twenty-seven (91.2%) were males with an age range from 2 to 79 years, while 22 (8.8%) were females with an age range from 1 to 76 years.…”

Traumatic glaucoma mimicking primary open angle glaucoma

“…There are about 1.6 million people blind due to eye injuries; in addition to this, 2.3 million are having low vision bilaterally and 19 million represent unilateral visual loss, making eye trauma the most common etiology of unilateral blindness 3,4 . Eye injuries measure about 8%~14% of the total childhood injuries 5,6 . Previous studies showed higher incidence of eye injuries in males 5,7,8 .…”