Pattern Of Ocular Emergencies Seen At L.U.T.H. Over A Period of 1 year

Abstract

Aim: To determine the commonest type of ocular emergencies seen at L.U.T.H. over a period of one year.
Methodology: Data of all consecutive patients seen as emergencies within the designated period was taken. These included age, sex, symptoms, signs, agents of injury, duration and the complications.
Results : A total of 304 patients were seen. 207 (68.0%) of them were males, while 97(32.0%) of them were females giving a ratio of 2.1:1. Out of the total number, 159(52.3%) had non-injurious emergencies. Of the 145 (47.7%) injurious emergencies, blunt trauma was the commonest with 77 patients (25.3%). Penetrating trauma was next in frequency with 37 patients (12.2%) as compared to blunt injury with 77 patients. Foreign body injuries were seen in 18 patients (5.9%), followed by chemical injuries which constituted the least with 13 patients (4.3%).
Conclusion : Majority of the ocular emergencies seen were due to non-injurious type, while blunt trauma was the commonest of the injurious type.
Recommendation : Health education and awareness creation should be intensified on the various causes of the ocular emergencies, more importantly on the non-injurious causes to prevent the resultant ocular morbidity.


Nigerian Quarterly Journal of Hospital Medicine Vol. 17 (2) 2007: pp. 90-92