ABSTRACT
To determine the pattern and causes of pediatric ocular trauma in Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar. A cross sectional descriptive study Department of Ophthalmology, Khyber Institute of Ophthalmic Medical Sciences, Hayatabad Medical Complex, Peshawar from January 1999 to June 2004. The medical records of 481 children aged upto 16 years who suffered ocular trauma were reviewed retrospectively. Age and gender distribution, nature and source of trauma, presentation and ocular features were analyzed. Pediatric ocular trauma constituted 43.5% of total traumatic ophthalmic admission. Four children were victims of bilateral trauma. Male to female ratio was 3.3:1.Twenty five percent children were below 5 years of age, 47.8% were between 5 to 10 years of age and 27.2% were between 10 to 16 years. About 51% injuries were of open globe type and 37.6% closed globe, superficial non perforating injuries, burns and adnexal pathologies were present in 11.3%. Domestic injuries were more common [47.2%]. At the time of admission 14.6% eyes were infected, 2.3% required evisceration or enucleation. Majority [67.3%] of the children presented late [one week later] to the hospital. Male children were affected more than female by trauma. Half of ocular trauma resulted in open globe injuries and almost 50% of cases were related to domestic injuries. Majority of cases presented late and were secondarily infected