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Abstract
Background: To determine pattern of ocular injuries
sustained during earthquake that hit north of Pakistan in
Oct. 2005.
Methods: It was a case-control study which included,
all thirty-one patients who presented to or were referred
to the eye departments of Rawalpindi General Hospital
and Holy Family Hospital (both tertiary care teaching
hospitals attached to Rawalpindi Medical College). The
injuries and their management were documented and
analyzed.
Results: Ocular injuries were 0.19% of the total patients
received at these hospitals. Females were twice more
affected than males. Children and young adults were
more affected. Most of the patients were residents of
Muzaffarabad. Most common presenting complaint was
esotropia resulting from cranial nerve palsies followed by
lacerations of periorbital skin, fractures of orbital and
facial bones and the base of skull and ocular penetrating
injuries. Associated injuries were cranial nerve palsies,
fractures orbit, facial bones and base of skull. Head injury
was common among one third of them. Most common
diagnosis was multiple cranial nerve injuries followed by
isolated 6th nerve palsy.
Conclusion: Pattern of ocular injuries sustained
during earthquake is quite different from injuries incurred
from other sources of trauma.