Pattern and Outcome of Paediatric Ocular Trauma – A 3 - Year Review at National Eye Centre, Kaduna

Aims and Objectives: To describe the pattern of paediatric ocular trauma seen at the national Eye Centre, Kaduna, between January 1995 and December 1997; and the factors that affect the visual and ocular outcome.Materials and Methods: The medical records of all the children 15 years or younger, with ocular injuries presenting as emergencies within the 3-year period, were reviewed. Relevant information obtained formed the database for analysis using Epi Info 6. Overall P value for predictors of visual and ocular outcome was determined.Results: One hundred and thirty-seven children, 13.4% of all paediatric attendance, presented with ocular injuries. The male to female ratio was 2:1. Only 22% of the patients presented on the day of injury. Fifty-three (38.7%) had penetrating injury, while 45 (32.9%) had contusion injury. About half occurred while at play and a quarter occurred as home accidents. Eighty patients (58.4%) needed hospital admission, 29 (21.2%) were treated on outpatient basis and 28 (20.4%) were lost before treatment was commenced. Sixty-five percent of the admitted patients stayed longer than seven days in the hospital. Seventy-one eyes (67.6%) were blind at presentation while 62% (39) of those tested at last hospital visit remained blind. Good final visual acuity (VA) was related to good initial VA and non-penetrating injury. Poor final VA was related to poor initial VA, injury to multiple ocular structures and penetrating injury. Poor ocular outcome (evisceration and phthisis) was related to penetrating injury, injury to multiple ocular structures and evidence of infection at time of presentation.Conclusions: Ocular trauma in children is a common cause of hospital attendance. They often result in severe visual deficit and there is need for adult supervision of children at play and control measures to prevent them. There is need to encourage early presentation and shielding of injured eyes. Nigerian Journal of Ophthalmology Vol. 8, No.1 (August 2000): pp 11-16KEY WORDS: Eye injury; childhood; outcome; avoidable; management