A Clinical Study of Ocular Trauma in Paediatric patients attending Tertiary Care Centre

Abstract

Aims: To study demographic parameters, modes of injury, its impact and relation to visual outcomes in paediatric ocular trauma. Methods: A prospective observational study was done at a tertiary centrefor 120 eyes of 117 patients over a period of 2 years. Results: Mean age of patients in this study was, 7.97 ± 3.919 years with males being predominance. No severe injuries were noted in children whose parents had college-level education. Mean distancebetween the place of injury and our centrehad no significant correlation with final BCVA but it significantly correlated with delay in presentation. Wooden Stickand household itemswere the most common agents of injury, followedby iron wire/rod/nailand Chemical/Thermal agents. Most common pathology was Corneal tear followed by corneoscleral tear and Chemical / Thermal injuries. Posterior segment involvement was seen in 27.5 %of cases. Traumatic cataract was noted in 13 eyes. Open globe injuriesexceededclosed globe ones. Prognostically closed globe injuries had better visual outcome and achieved higher BCVA than closed globe ones irrespective of mode of management being surgical/ nonsurgical. Conclusion: This study showed a demographic snapshot for the patients of ocular trauma, withthe male child between the age group of 6-8 years most commonly affected. BCVA was relatednot to socioeconomic status, but educational status of the patients. Mode and type of injury strongly correlated withvisual acuity. Final BCVA correlated to BCVA at presentation, and not to the treatment factors, thusmaking primary prevention of trauma of paramount importance. Keywords: Ocular Trauma, Corneoscleral Tear, Paediatric Open Globe Injury