Pattern and Final Visual Outcome in Paediatric Ocular Trauma in Central India.

ABSTRACT

Paediatric ocular trauma is one of the most common causes of preventable visual morbidity in children. One third vision loss occurs in the first decade of life, which is crucial stage for visual development. We wanted to evaluate the final visual outcome of paediatric ocular trauma and determine the various aetiological factors contributing to ocular trauma.METHODSProspective data regarding age, sex, visual acuity, etiological factors of 100 children who visited the emergency in the department of ophthalmology was collected. Children below 18 years of age were included. Children who could not cooperate or lost to follow-up were excluded from the study. Chi square test was done. P values were considered statistically significant at 0.01% level.RESULTSOf the 100 cases, closed globe injury accounted for 69% and the sex ratio was 3.21.48 children had visual acuity > 6/12, 18 had visual acuity 6/18 – 6/36, and 3 children had no perception of light (NOPL).CONCLUSIONSPaediatric ocular trauma is a major cause of the non-congenital unilateral blindness. Such injuries cannot always be prevented, but by identifying the underlying aetiological factor of serious injuries, it may be possible to determine the most effective method of reducing the incidence of visually challenging trauma. Although prognosis is mainly dependent on the extent of injury, choice of appropriate management can favourably affect the visual outcome.