Pattern of Childhood Ophthalmic Injuries in Upper Egypt

Abstract

Introduction: Ophthalmic injuries in children represent important health concern that may result in lifelong disfigurements and infirmities. Aim of the work: to describe the pattern of ophthalmic injuries in children admitted to Assiut University Hospitals. Subjects and Methods: This study is a prospective descriptive study included 72 children admitted to causality unit of Assiut University Hospital with ophthalmic injuries in the period from 1 st January 2021 to 30 th June 2021. Detailed history and ocular examination were performed for the included subjects. The visual status after injury and after initial repair was evaluated. Results: Mean age of the patients was 8.23 ± 4.55 years, and the male patients represented more than half of the cases with percentage of 58.34%. Most cases were from rural areas (87.5%). The highest incidence (97.24 %) of the cases was accidental and only 2.78% was homicidal. The commonest type of injury was blunt trauma, accounting for 43.06% of the total and penetrating injuries by sharp and/or pointed instruments represented 37.5% of cases. While Intraocular foreign body represented 16.67% of cases. More than half of cases (52.78%) had closed globe injuries while 47.23% of cases had open globe injuries. The visual status after injury and after initial repair was less than 1/60 in 44.44 % of cases (32 cases). Conclusion: Ocular trauma represents a major health concern and cause of decreased visual acuity in children. Domestic eye trauma is mainly accidental and could be avoided and thus education of safety measures is required.