Pediatric Traumatic Cataract in Southwest China: Epidemiological Profile

Abstract

Background: Pediatric traumatic cataract is an important but preventable cause of acquired monocular blindness. Knowing the epidemiology of pediatric traumatic cataract is the prerequisite for prevention. This study aimed to characterize the epidemiology in the southwest of China. Methods: The medical record of children with lens damage following open-globe injury managed in the West China Hospital (aged 1–14 years) from January 2011 to December 2020 were reviewed, and the demographic data, cause of injury, and post-traumatic complications were recorded and analyzed.Results: A total of 716 eyes of 716 patients were enrolled in this study, including 488 (68.2%) male and 228 female patients in a ratio of 2.14:1; 117 patients were from a minority nationality region. The pediatric traumatic cataract was more likely to occur in winter (40.2%). Sharp metal object–related (scissors/knife/needle/sheet metal/dart) eye injuries accounted for the highest proportion, followed by botanic sticks (wooden /bamboo /bamboo skewers), and stationery (pencil/pen/ruler/paper). A majority (68.7%) of patients were 2–8 years old, with a higher frequency in the age group of 4–6 years. Penetrating trauma accounted for 64.9% of patients, and the remaining were accounted for blunt trauma (35.1%). 131 cases (18.3%) developed into post-traumatic endophthalmitis. The eye injuries caused by needles(P=0.007), wooden sticks(P=0.016), and bamboo skewers(P=0.002) have greater risk for developing into endophthalmitis. The most common organism identified was Streptococcus, which accounted for 42% (21/50) of all culture-positive specimens and was sensitive to vancomycin. Conclusion: The epidemiology of pediatric traumatic cataract in the southwest of China, especially the causative agent, was different from that in other regions, therefore the emphasized educative measures such as informing guardian and children about the causative factors should also be different.