anterior segment trauma

ABSTRACT

From a study of 134 consecutive cases of anterior segment ocular trauma we drew following conclusions: [i] This injury constitutes a considerable part of the eye injuries in Rawalpindi Division and Azad Kashmir areas of Pakistan. [ii] Out of a total of 134 patients, 69 [51.5%] sustained blunt trauma, 50 patients [37.3%] had perforating injury, eight patients [6%] had a retained intraocular foreign body, and 15 patients had other types of injuries, such as chemical burn, etc. [iii] Men [112] were affected more often than women [22]. [iv] The most alarming finding was that over half of the patients [51.5%] were children under 15. [v] A majority of the injuries [55 cases, 41.5%] occurred during sports and play. [vi] In terms of frequency and severity of visual loss, microsurgery, modern suturing techniques, intraocular lens implantation, and keratoplasty, etc. improve the overall visual prognosis. More widespread public education, better institution of preventive measures, and necessary legislation would appreciably improve the outcome of eye trauma in Pakistan. [Pakistan Journal of Ophthalmology 935-40, April, 1993.]