Keywords
blunt trauma
penetrating injury
visual acuity
How to Cite
Abstract
Objective: This study evaluated the occurrence, aetiology, severity, and visual outcomes of paediatric eye trauma cases referred to Al-Shifa Trust Eye Hospital in Rawalpindi.
Methods: This cross-sectional study enrolled 350 children aged 1–16 years over six months using non-probabilistic consecutive sampling. Demographic data, mechanism, site, and location of the injury were recorded. Visual acuity was assessed using age-appropriate charts, and a comprehensive ocular examination, including slit-lamp biomicroscopy and indirect ophthalmoscopy, was performed. The Ocular Trauma Score (OTS) was calculated. Data were analysed using SPSS v25. Categorical variables are presented as frequencies and percentages, and chi-square tests were used to determine associations (p ≤ 0.05).
Results: The mean age of the children was 8.2 ± 4.1 years, with boys accounting for 62% of the cases. The right eye was more frequently affected (45%), and the majority of injuries were unilateral (78%). The most common places for injuries were at home (38%) and outdoors (32%). The most common mechanism of injury was blunt trauma (42%), followed by penetrating injuries (27%), lacerations (20%), and chemical injuries (11%). Fifteen percent of injured eyes had severe visual impairment (NPL/PL-HM). Chemical injuries were comparatively more common in girls (14%), whereas blunt trauma was more common in boys (45%). OTS categories 2 (28%) and 3 (36%) comprised the majority of cases in this study.
Conclusion: Paediatric ocular trauma predominantly affects boys and is most often blunt in nature, with children injured at home or outside the home. While a certain number of children have mild-to-moderate levels of visual impairment, many are affected by severe visual loss. Proactive monitoring of children during playtime, raising public awareness, and providing timely access to specialised eye care can significantly prevent visual impairment in children.
Keywords: Eye injuries, trauma, lacerations, visual acuity
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