Clinical Evaluation of the Pediatric Ocular Trauma

ABSTRACT

A retrospective survey was conducted on all children with eye injuries who were admitted to Chonnam National University Hospital from January 1993 to December 1998 to determine demographic, etiologic, and risk factors and to identify trend and preventable causes. Of the 147 children, 116 children(78.9%)were boys and 31 children(21.1%)were girls. The types of injury were categorized into six groups. Several of the patients sustained more than one type of injury;therefore, the total number of injuries(186)is greater than the total number of patients(147). The non-perforating anterior injury was the most frequent type of injury encountered(83 eyes;44.6%). The majority of these patients was diagnosed as hyphema. Penetrating anterior globe injury occurred in 55 children(29.6%). Stick or branch was the most common cause of all injuries, occurring in 20 children(13.6%). Other causes of pediatric ocular trauma were sports-related, BB pellet, fist, traffic accidents, glasses, toy, boomerang etc.Of the 68 children diagnosed as hyphema, 14 children(20.6%)were resulted from sports-related injuries. Of the 52 children of anterior perforating eye injuries, 9 children(17.3%) were resulted from branches or sticks.Of the 147 children admitted for ocular trauma, 87 children(59.2%)required surgical treatment. Primary repair of corneal perforation was the most common operation(17 children;19.5%). The preventable causes of pediatric ocular injuries are sports, toy such as BB pellet and broken glasses, but the most important factors are the control of dangerous play and the adequate adult supervision.