Nadeem Hafeez Butt.
Management of Ocular Trauma in Children.
Pak J Ophthalmol Jan ;17(4):115-8.

Objective: To determine the aetiological factors responsible for Ocular trauma in children, to evaluate the extent of injury and visual outcome after management and to suggest possible control measures. Study Design: A descriptive and Observational study. Place and Duration of Study: Children presenting with ocular trauma up to the age of 12 year consecutively in the above mentioned hospitals and within the selected period. Subjects and Methods: A total of 40 Children of ocular trauma were evaluated. Out of these 30 (75%) were boys and 10 (25%) were girls. They were assessed for aetiological factor responsible for ocular trauma, extent of injury, type of management chosen, i.e., conservative against surgical and visual outcome after a follow up ranging from 1 month to 12 months. Results: Out of 40 children 32 (80%) needed surgical management and 8(20%) were managed conservatively. Patients of penetrating ocular injuries had poor visual outcome, 6118 or worse, as compared to blunt ocular trauma and ocular burns, 616-6118. The aetiological pattern showed that penetrating injuries occupy the highest number 22(55%) in contrast to blunt ocular injuries 14(35%) and ocular burns (10%). It was also observed during the study that most of the penetrating injuries occurred in domestic environment and sharp objects of daily use like kitchen knife, screw driver, household scissors etc. were found to be responsible for these injuries. Conclusion: Injuries involving the central cornea and lens in the anterior segment or damaging the retina were associated with a poor visual prognosis due to the problem of maintenance of binocular single vision. Education of the parents and public awareness for adopting preventive measures at home and at the place of play could save these children as well as other children form ocular injuries in future.

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