EPIDEMIOLOGY AND CLINICAL PROFILE OF OCULAR TRAUMA IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF SOUTH INDIA

Dr. Silni Chandra*, Dr. Shereefa P., Dr. Padma B. Prabhu and Dr. Ranjini K.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Trauma is the leading cause of ocular morbidity in the present world. It leads to blindness and ultimately disability. Ocular trauma has not been given the importance that it deserves in this world. It has seen a lot of neglect. This study is aimed at analysing ocular trauma with respect to risk factors, clinical features, epidemiological profile and also the use of safety devices. Not many studies have been done in this part of India to analyse ocular trauma. This is a retrospective hospital-based study conducted from January 2018- March 2018 in a tertiary care multi-speciality hospital. All case records of patients who were admitted in the hospital in the specific time period with a history of trauma and were seen by the Ophthalmology unit were reviewed retrospectively. Their epidemiological details including age, sex, occupation, mode of trauma, time of presentation, place of injury etc were recorded. Clinical features including the visual acuity, anterior and posterior segment findings, treatment given were included. Result: 125 eyes of as many cases were included in the study with 108 (86.4%) males and 17(13.6%) females. The most common age pf presentation was between 18-40 years. Most common cause of trauma was road traffic accidents in 52(41.6%) patients. Clinical examination showed visual acuity more than 6/18 in 62(49.6%) cases, 6/18- 3/60 in 15(11.6%) cases and less than 3/60 in 33(25.4%) cases. In 15(12%) cases visual acuity estimation could not be done due to poly trauma induced factors. Anterior segment involvement included corneal laceration in 20 (16%) cases, scleral injury in 6 (4.8%) cases. Posterior segment involvement included commotio retinae in 6(4.8%) cases. Worksite injuries were seen in 22(17.6%) cases. Use of safety devices were seen in only one (0.008%) case. Conclusion: Road traffic accidents, trauma at home and work place injury were the three most common causes of trauma. Lack of safety devices were seen in almost all 124(99.2%) patients. Most commonly injured were males in the age group of 21- 40 years.

Keywords: Ocular Trauma, Clinical features, Road traffic accidents, Safety precautions.