Eye on impact: An analysis of blunt ocular trauma cases at a tertiary eye care centre in South India

Abstract

This study investigates the epidemiology, injury mechanisms, and clinical features of blunt ocular trauma. It aims to assess the prevalence of these injuries and the extent of vision loss among patients at a tertiary eye care center in South India.A retrospective observational study was conducted at a teaching hospital over four months, from June 2024 to September 2024. The study included 417 patients of all age groups who visited the outpatient department of a tertiary eye care center after experiencing blunt ocular trauma. Data were collected on the cause and circumstances of the injury, injury mechanism, clinical features, management, and visual outcomes.This study included 417 patients, with the majority falling into the 21–30 year age group. Men had a higher rate of eye injuries than women, and the most common cause of injury was road traffic accidents (35.97%). The predominant type of ocular injury was closed globe injuries, with an incidence of 95.92%. Additionally, 17.2% of the patients required surgical intervention.Most blunt ocular trauma is caused by road traffic accidents, followed by physical assaults, with young men being the most affected. This underscores the need for preventive measures, such as wearing helmets and avoiding driving under the influence of alcohol, to reduce the incidence of these injuries. Public awareness campaigns can play a vital role in promoting safety and protecting vulnerable populations.