Profile of paediatric ocular trauma at a tier 2 city in Southern Karnataka

Abstract
Aim To identify cause, demographic and clinical profile, parents education status and final visual outcome of ocular trauma in pediatric age-group (= < 14 years) patients attending casualty and Ophthalmology OPD. Materials and Methods Prospective interventional study was carried out in teaching hospital of Mandya district in South Karnataka during December 2015–May 2016 where children up to 14 years with history of ocular trauma attending the casualty/OPD were included. Demographic details like age and sex, activity at time of injury, mode of injury, parent education status and delayed presentation were noted with follow-upto period of 30 days. Results In our study, total 32 patients with 32 eyes were enrolled. Five years and below age-group was more affected (40.6%, 13 eyes). Boys (50%, 16 eyes) and Girls (50%, 16 eyes) were equally affected. Adnexal injuries were found in 37.5% eyes, whereas closed and open globe injuries in 59.3% and 3.1% respectively. 28.1% reported early to casualty within 24 hours (9 eyes), remaining 23 eyes after 24 hours (71.8%). The objects causing injury were projectile objects & sticks (37.5%), road traffic accidents (9.3%), chemical injury(9.3%), playing at school and home (40.6%), animal bite (6.2%) and self fall (9.3%). Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of more than 6/9 achieved in 29 (90.6%) eyes, 6/18-6/24 in 3 (9.37%) eyes. Most of the ocular injuries occurred while playing at home and at playground (40.6%). Conclusion The most common age-group affected was below 5 years. Boys and girls were equally affected. Delayed presentation was common compared to early presentation especially among illiterates. Projectile objects, blunt trauma while playing, were common causes of injury. Most of the children achieved best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) more than 6/9.