Epidemiology and Implications of Ocular Trauma Admitted to a Tertiary Care Hospital in North India

P urpose: To study the aetiology, epidemiological profile of patients presenting with ocular trauma and compare visual outcomes of early versus late presentatiod. Design: Prospective observational study performed over fifteen month interval. Methods: Patients' epidemiological characteristics were evaluated along with cause of trauma, place of injury, time lag post injury, and postoperative management. Injuries were classified by Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology (BETT). Final visual and anatomical outcome after providing tailored surgical management was evaluated. All patients had a minimum follow up of 6 months. Statistical Analysis: All the data collected was analysed using SPSS version 17.0 software. Results: One hundred and three cases of incident ocular injury were included in the study. Open globe: closed globe injuries were 78:22% respectively with intraocular foreign body present in 9% of cases. Actively working adults younger than 25 years of age were the commonest age group affected (64%). The commonest place of injury was at home (32%) followed by workplace environment (29%). Good outcome (vision of > 6/60 Snellen) could be achieved in 50% cases, of which 53% had purely anterior segment injury and 20% concomitant retinal injury. Good outcome had a direct correlation with early presentation in 57% and poor outcome with late presentation seen in 64% cases. Conclusion: Serious ocular trauma frequently occurs at home with the younger population maximum at risk. Good visual acuity is associated with early intervention and purely anterior segment injuries.