Demographic profile of ophthalmic injuries following road traffic accidents at a tertiary care hospital in Western India

Abstract

Context: Road traffic accidents (RTAs) are one of the leading and most common causes of ocular injuries, especially in developing countries like India. AIMS: The aim of the study was to study the incidence and clinical presentation of ophthalmic injuries in RTAs. Settings and Design: This was a prospective hospital-based study observational study. Subjects and Methods: A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 patients in the department of ophthalmology of a tertiary hospital in Western India from October 2021 to October 2023. Detailed ocular examination and investigations were done. Various parameters, including demographics, type of vehicle, type and severity of the injury, and visual acuity at presentation, were studied. The data obtained from the results were expressed in frequency and percentages. Statistical Analysis Used: Not applicable. Results: A total of 300 patients were included in the study. The right eye was affected in 177 out of 320 cases. Male preponderance was noted. The most common ocular finding was ecchymosis 168 (56%) followed by lid lacerations 81 (27%). Majority of the cases were in the age group of 31–40 years (31.67%). The incidence of injuries in two-wheeler riders was 283 (94.33%), of which people who were driving without a helmet were 256 (90.5%). Conclusion: We concluded from our study that the most common age group, 31–40 years, was involved in ocular injuries due to RTAs with male preponderance. Most of those who sustained injuries were riding two-wheeler vehicles without helmets. The involvement of the right eye was more common in unilateral cases. The most common injury found was blunt trauma presenting as preorbital edema and ecchymosis.

Keywords

• blindness
• ophthalmic injury
• road traffic accident