PEDIATRIC OCULAR TRAUMA

Abstract

Ocular trauma is an important cause of ocular morbidity in children. At present only limited studies regarding distribution of ocular trauma exist in Iran. This study was performed to define epidemiologic characteristics and clinical profile of ocular trauma in children and to discuss management and final outcomes of such injuries. The files of 60 patients aged 16 years or younger who had been admitted for eye trauma at Shahid Sadoughi Hospital from April 2003 to March 2004 were analyzed. Sixty cases were studied. Majority of injuries occurred in the age group of 8-12 years (58.3%). There were 40 (66.6%) boys and 20 (33.3%) girls. The highest proportion of injuries occurred in streets-roads (41.6%), followed by home (25%). Open globe injuries accounted for 51.7% of injuries, closed globe for 35% and chemical injuries for 13.3%. The most common causes were pointed objects, stones, bow-arrow and accidental blows and falls. Best corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better was achieved in 10 patients (47.9%) in closed globe group. However, only 5 eyes (16.1%) in open globe group could achieve this vision. Seventeen patients (28.3%) achieved visual acuity of 20/200 or less. In conclusion, most ocular injuries are preventable and occur due to unsupervised use of objects like pointed things and bow–arrow. Initial visual acuity is statistically an important predictor of final visual acuity.