A Descriptive Study on Paediatric Ocular Trauma at a Tertiary Eye Care Centre, Andhra Pradesh, India

Abstract

Introduction: Ocular trauma is one of the leading causes of treatable visual morbidity and blindness. Paediatric ocular injury accounts for 8 to 14% of total injuries in children. Ocular trauma in children differs from that in adults in terms of the objects involved in causing injury, as well as the evaluation and management protocols. Aim: To understand the causes, locations, contributing factors, and patterns of paediatric ocular trauma, along with its short-term visual outcomes in a tertiary care centre, Andhra Pradesh. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Great Eastern Medical School and Hospital (GEMS), Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, India, over a period of six months, from August 2023 to January 2024. A detailed history regarding the cause of injury and any systemic injuries was recorded. The demographic profiles of all patients were noted in terms of age, sex, location of injury, nature of the object causing injury, time of presentation, and treatment. A comprehensive ocular examination was performed, which included visual acuity assessment, slit lamp examination and fundus examination. All patients were managed according to established treatment protocols. Follow-up appointments were scheduled at one week, three weeks, six weeks, and three months. Results: In the present study, a total of 31 children under the age of 15 years were included. The mean age of presentation was 9.94±3.91 years. Most ocular injuries occurred in the age group of 11-15 years, accounting for 17 (54.83%) of cases. Regarding the location of injury, the most common site was the home, representing 15 (48.38%) of incidents. The object most frequently causing injury was a wooden stick, which constituted 7 (22.58%) of cases. Out of the 31 children, 25 (80.64%) presented with closed globe injuries, while 6 (19.35%) had open globe injuries, indicating that closed globe injuries were more common. The visual acuity was converted to log Minimum Angle of Resolution (MAR) units, with the mean preoperative Best-corrected Visual Acuity (BCVA) being 1.0726±0.7038 log MAR units. The mean postoperative BCVA after three months was 0.5720±0.6275 log MAR units. Linear regression analysis conducted between preoperative visual acuity and postoperative BCVA showed an r-value of 0.7681 and a p-value of <0.001, indicating a significant positive correlation. Conclusion: According to the present study, the most common location of injury was found to be the home, suggesting that increased supervision at home could be beneficial. Early identification and intervention will help prevent ocular morbidity in children.

Keywords

• best corrected visual acuity
• home
• hyphema
• open globe injury
• wooden stick