Publication: Ocular trauma in patients presenting to Dhulikhel Hospital
Date
2011
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
Ocular trauma is an important cause of blindness and ocular morbidity throughout
the world. Prevalence studies help to define the target group, plan strategies and
thereby lessen trauma related blindness in the country.
Objective
To identify the risk factors for ocular trauma, those at risk, describe the visual acuity
at time of clinical presentation, and assess the nature and severity of ocular trauma
in patients presenting to Dhulikhel Hospital’s emergency department and eye OPD
with ocular trauma.
Methods
It is a descriptive and prospective study of all the patients with ocular trauma
presenting to Dhulikhel Hospital from December 2009 to December 2010. A
complete history and detailed ophthalmologic evaluation was done and noted
down.
Results
There were 112 subjects with ocular trauma. Mean age was 28.43±16.36 years
with a range of one year to 74 years. Males predominated with 72.3% frequency
(p<0.001). Incidence peaked in third decade of life (p<0.01). Ocular trauma peaked
in months of September and October. Presenting visual acuity better than 6/12
was noted in 83.9% of cases whereas 2.7% of cases had visual acuity of <3/60.
Household (56.3%, p<0.001) was the commonest place of injury with wooden
objects (19.6%) being the commonest object of injury. Most of the injuries were
mechanical (85.7%, p>0.001).
Conclusion
Blunt injuries were more common in young males. Household and workplace were
common location of ocular injuries. Public awareness and strict legislation to use
personal protective devices can help to reduce the occurrence of ocular injury.
KEY WORDS
blindness, corneal abrasion, mechanical injury, ocular trauma
Description
Sthapit PR, Marasini S, Khoju U, Thapa G, Nepal BP
Department of Ophthalmology Kathmandu University School of Medical Sciences Dhulikhel Hospital, Dhulikhel, Nepal