Ocular emergencies

To describe clinical data about ocular emergencies [OE] and their management. Design: Descriptive study. Place and Duration of Study: This study was conducted from 1st January, 2000 to 31st December, 2002 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Khyber institute of Ophthalmic Medical Sciences, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar. Material and A comprehensive analysis of the computer record available for admitted ocular emergencies was undertaken in terms of gender, age, etiology, procedure performed and hospital stay. Ocular emergencies [1961] were 18.49% of total admissions. Male to female ratio was 2:1. Non-traumatic ocular emergencies were 1058 [53.95%] with male to female ratio of 1.47:1. In the non-traumatic ocular emergencies, majority [67.2%] were 40 years or above. Traumatic ocular emergencies were 925 [47.16%] with male to female ratio of 2.77:1. Majority [83.78%] of traumatic ocular emergencies were below 40 years and 562 [60.75%] below 20 years of age. Only 150 [16.21%] cases were 40 years and above. Corneal ulcers [44.51%] and glaucoma [24.38%] were the most common non-traumatic ocular emergencies, whereas, open globe injuries [73.4%] were leading the traumatic ocular emergencies. Total surgical procedures performed were 1382 [13.7% of total major ophthalmic surgery]. Average stay in hospital was 5.5 days. Ocular emergencies predominantly affected the males in this series. Trauma related OE are almost as common as non-traumatic. Majority of OE need surgical intervention and the average hospital stay is longer than routine admissions