Purpose To study the effect of COVID-19 lockdown on clinico-epidemiological profile of ocular trauma. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of the hospital records from the emergency and ophthalmology department of the institution related to ocular injury during the lockdown period imposed in India (March 23, 2020, to May 30, 2020). Data entry and cleaning were done using Microsoft Excel 2016, and statistical analysis was carried out by SPSS V23 (IBM, Armonk, NY, USA). Results During the period of first lockdown in India, out of 7357 overall trauma cases, 130 (1.76%) ocular trauma cases were recorded. So far the type of ocular injury is concerned, 54 (42%) reported with ecchymosis, 33 (24.6%) with subconjunctival hemorrhage, 25 (19%) with lid laceration, 14 (10.4%) with traumatic mydriasis, 11 (8.4%) with corneal rupture, 4 (3%) with orbital floor fracture, and 7 (5%) with traumatic hyphema and traumatic cataract. A total of 39 (30%) injured persons reported of domestic violence, 26 (28%) RTA, 19 (15%) some form of assault (nondomestic), and 17 (13%) injury due to fall. So far the mechanism of injury involved in the domestic violence cases is considered, 18 (46.3%) reported with fist/punch blow, 9 (23%) reported with slapping, 6 (15.4%) reported with assault by belt, and 5 (12.8%) reported with injury by sticks. Conclusions Lockdown of financial and social activities during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in reduced reporting of ocular injuries due to causes such as RTA, occupational hazards, and sports-related events.
Read full abstract