Spectrum of Eye Injuries in Children in Guinness Eye Hospital, Onitsha

Abstract

Background: This study aims at eliciting the epidemiologic information on eye injuries in children seen in Guinness Eye Hospital, Onitsha.



Methods: The records of all patients aged sixteen years and below seen between August 1997 and July 1998 in Guinness Eye Hospital, Onitsha were retrospectively reviewed.



Results: Ninety seventy children with eye injuries were seen. Out of 216 patients with eye injuries seen 97(44.9%) were children. The common activities resulting in eye injuries were playing, fighting and flogging. The injuries were commonly inflicted by self and playmates. Eighteen (18.5%) presented in hospital within the first day of injury. Twenty-three (28.0%) eyes were visually impaired, Visual Acuity (VA < 6/18) and 24(29.3%) were uniocularly blind (VA < 3/60) on presentation. Final VA showed visual impairment in 18(30%) patients and uniocular blindness in 13(21.7%) patients.



Conclusion: Eye injuries in children are preventable and morbidity from such injuries can be reduced by early and appropriate treatment. It is therefore necessary to institute effective health education aimed at preventing eye injuries and encouraging early treatment and improvement in childcare.

(Nig J Surg Res 2001; 3: 126 – 132)


KEY WORDS:

Eye Injuries, Children