Epidemiology, Aetiology and Pattern of Penetrating Ocular Trauma in Kolkata and Surroundings

Abstract

BACKGROUND The purpose of the study was to determine the epidemiology, aetiology and pattern of penetrating ocular trauma in Kolkata and surroundings. MATERIALS AND METHODS It was a retrospective study of patients with open globe injuries who underwent surgery from July 2015 to June 2016 at Regional Institute of Ophthalmology, Calcutta Medical College, West Bengal. We examined and classified the injuries based on BETTS (Birmingham eye trauma terminology system). We included 192 eyes from 192 patients. The majority of injuries occurred in young (48% patients were <16 years). 54.17% patients were male and 45.83% were female. Most common mode of trauma was Stone (52), Followed by Iron Rod or Piece (44) and Wood (32). Other causes were Cow's horn (14), Needle (12) Knife (8), Arrow (6), Sickle (6), Rubber Tube (4), Glass (2), Crackers (4), Metal Instrument (2), Bird Beak (2) and Pencil (2). RESULTS The highest proportion of injuries occurred at home followed by outside. According to BETTS, 61 patients had zone 1, 29 patients-zone 2, 6 patients-Zone 3 injury. Associated features were iris prolapse, hyphaema, anterior capsular rupture, lid tear and impacted foreign body. Mean period of presenting at hospital was 2.72 days. Most common visual acuity at presentation was less than 6/60 to perception of light. CONCLUSION In our study, serious ocular trauma frequently occurred at home followed by outside and the young were particularly at risk. Most common mode of trauma was stone. Most of the injuries were limited to cornea up to limbus. More adequate adult supervision and educational measures are necessary in order to reduce the prevalence of these accidents.