Journal of Islamic International Medical College (Dec 2016)
Frequency and Characteristics of Ocular Trauma in Gilgit, Pakistan
Abstract
Objective: To study the frequency and characteristics of ocular trauma in Gilgit city, Pakistan. Study Design: Observational survey. st Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted at Gilgit Eye Hospital, Gilgit city from 1 January 2012 to 31 December 2012. Materials and Methods: It was an observational study (case series) concluded at critical analysis of data collected. Patients presenting with the complaints of ocular trauma over a period of one year were included in the study. Detailed history was recorded using a structured questionnaire including age, gender, occupation, month and the season, the place, nature of object, activity at the time of injury and time lapsed after trauma and presentation at the hospital. Results: Patients ranged from 2 years to 75 years, with a mean age of 44.07±13. Majority of the patients were males (62.61%). The age group range in 36.9 % of the patients was 31‐45 years and 15‐30 year in 22.4 % of the patients. The patients who presented within one hour after an eye injury were 45.32%. The highest number of injuries occurred in the summer season (52.7%). The most common cause of eye injury in the study group was related to wood cutting (19.1%). The commonest place where injury occurred was in woods and mountains (17.7%). The activity which was common at the time of injury was cutting wood followed by playing out door games. Most of the patients suffered from blunt trauma and had closed eye injuries (81.3%). Most of the patients had good visual acuity at presentation (6/6 to 6/18 in 39.3%). The commonest types of injuries were Periorbital swelling, ecchymosis and subconjunctival hemorrhages (40.1%). The cases were managed according to the clinical findings and investigations. Conclusion: This study highlights the pattern and characteristics of ocular trauma presenting to an eye facility in Gilgit city. The frequency of ocular trauma is more in young males, mostly blunt, unilateral and work related.Majority of the ocular injuries are caused by wood and rocks in the mountains. Children suffer from ocular trauma at home and schools while playing games and sports.
