Abstract
Purpose To describe the epidemiology of ocular emergencies in children in a hospital-based emergency room (ER). Methods The medical reports of all children, 14 years of age and younger, who attended La Paz University Hospital (Madrid, Spain) ER from September 2015 to August 2016 were prospectively collected. Demographic data, origin, symptom for consultation, diagnostic tests, final diagnosis, and final referral of patients were recorded. Results A total of 774 children were attended: 57% boys and 43% girls. Mean age was 5 years (SD 4.10 years, range 0–14 years) without significant differences between sexes. Most children went to the ER because parents or teachers took the decision (75%), 24% were referred from the paediatric ER for evaluation, and 0.78% were referred from another hospital or by an out-clinic ophthalmologist. The reasons for consultation were red eyes (61%), traumatism (17%), referred from the paediatrician to have the fundus explored in children with headache (7%), eyelids problems (7%), and visual loss (7%). The most frequent diagnoses were infectious conjunctivitis (29%), corneal erosion (17%), normal examination (15%), and allergic conjunctivitis (13%). The most severe cases (visual loss, acute strabismus, and leucocoria) were referred by the paediatricians and represented 4.65% of the total patients. Visits occurred more frequently during the third trimester of the year (July–September), with a higher incidence of eye trauma in summer. Conclusions Infectious conjunctivitis was the most frequent pathology. It is necessary to increase public awareness about the symptoms, the way of transmission, and treatment. Ocular trauma was also a common cause of presentation and the majority were contusional and mild. There is also a need for education of parents, teachers, and coaches regarding the potential for eye injuries. Ophthalmologists and paediatricians must take an active role in educating people about the prophylactic measures to prevent eye injuries in children.
Highlights
Eye-related complaints are a frequent reason for consultation at any age and represent approximately 1–6% of the patients referred to the general emergency room (ER) around the world [1]. e incidence of ocular emergencies requiring urgent referral to the Emergency Department (ED) in the United States has been estimated at a national average of approximately 3 per 1,000 persons a year, with 2.4 million ocular injuries occurring every year [2]. e impact on adults is considerable because ocular injuries make up 3.3% of all occupational injuries resulting in lost workdays according to National Safety Council, 2002
A total of 53,549 children were treated in the emergency room of the La Paz University Hospital between September 2015 and August 2016, 774 of them were ophthalmological emergencies, representing 1.45%, 441 boys (57%) and 333 girls (43%, p
Most children went to the ER because parents or teachers took the decision (75%), 24% were referred from the paediatric ED for evaluation, and 0.78% were referred from another hospital or by an out-clinic ophthalmologist
Summary
Ocular Emergencies in Children: Demographics, Origin, Symptoms, and Most Frequent Diagnoses. E medical reports of all children, 14 years of age and younger, who attended La Paz University Hospital (Madrid, Spain) ER from September 2015 to August 2016 were prospectively collected. Most children went to the ER because parents or teachers took the decision (75%), 24% were referred from the paediatric ER for evaluation, and 0.78% were referred from another hospital or by an out-clinic ophthalmologist. E reasons for consultation were red eyes (61%), traumatism (17%), referred from the paediatrician to have the fundus explored in children with headache (7%), eyelids problems (7%), and visual loss (7%). Ophthalmologists and paediatricians must take an active role in educating people about the prophylactic measures to prevent eye injuries in children
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