Visual profile of motorcycle-related ocular trauma in a tertiary hospital

ABSTRACT

Objectives@#To provide a representative data on the local profile of motorcycle-related ocular trauma seen in a tertiary hospital over a period of one year.@*Methodology@#A retrospective case review of all motorcycle-related trauma patients seen at the emergency room of the Philippine General Hospital (PGH) by the Trauma Service of the Department of Surgery and referred to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) for eye injuries was conducted. Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence and types of injuries, and the factors affecting these injuries. @*Results@#Thrity-four charts were reviewed; 9 (26.5%) patients had bilateral ocular involvement and 25 (73.5%) unilateral, a total of 43 eyes. The patients were mostly males in their productive age, belonged to the lower economic bracket, and came from nearby Southern Luzon provinces and the National Capital Region (NCR). Most of the injuries incurred were mild and involved the external surface of the eye. Night motorcycle driving, fair weather, and alcohol use were risks identified for motorcycle-related ocular injuries. Helmet use was the only identifiable risk indirectly correlated with severity of ocular injury. @*Conclusion@#Although majority of the ophthalmic injuries were classified as mild, and eyes involved had generally good visual potential, helmet use was the only identifiable risk associated with the severity of the ocular injury