Demographic Profile & Pattern of Ocular and Adnexal Injuries from Sloth Bear Maul: a Study in Tertiary Centre of Bilaspur District, Chhattisgarh

Abstract

This study was done in all cases of bear attacked patSients admitted in our tertiary centre Chhattisgarh institute of medical science (CIMS) who suffered ocular and adnexal injuries. Sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is found to be native in many forest areas of the state of Chhattisgarh including North Bilaspur Forest Division (NBFD). The study was conducted in the department of ophthalmology, Chhattisgarh institute of medical science (CIMS) Bilaspur Chhattisgarh for the duration of 3 years (January 2018 to December 2020).  All patients who were admitted in our institute with ocular and/or adnexal injuries from bear attack have been included in this study. 27 patients were attacked by sloth bear in the forest areas of Bilaspur division and referred to our tertiary centre. These patients had ocular and adnexal injuries.  These bears were found roaming in the forest areas and also at places of human and animal habitats. 67% (18 of 27) patients were attacked in the forest areas, while some were attacked in the crop fields (15%), home courtyard (7%) and near water bodies (11%).  Sloth bears are one of the most aggressive bears who have attacked human populations. The injuries cause severe visual loss and disfigurement to eyeball and adnexa. Proper measures are needed to be implemented to prevent such cases in future.