Related Experiment Videos
Eye injuries in children: the current picture
C J MacEwen1, P S Baines, P Desai
1Department of Ophthalmology, Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee DD1 9SY.
Insights
Paediatric ocular trauma incidence has decreased, with improved outcomes. This study indicates that childhood eye injuries now have a better prognosis than adult injuries, marking a significant advancement in treatment and prevention.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Paediatric Medicine
- Trauma Research
Background:
- Paediatric ocular trauma remains a significant concern globally.
- Understanding current trends in causes and outcomes is crucial for effective prevention and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the current causes and outcomes of paediatric ocular trauma.
- To assess changes in incidence and prognosis compared to previous data and adult populations.
Main Methods:
- A prospective observational study was conducted over one year in Scotland.
- All children admitted to hospital with ocular trauma were included.
Main Results:
- Blunt trauma was the most common mechanism (65%), often resulting in hyphaema (60%).
- Home injuries were most frequent (51%), with sports injuries common in the 5-14 age group.
- Visual outcomes were generally good, with minimal severe vision impairment and no bilateral blindness.
Conclusions:
- The incidence of paediatric eye injuries has declined.
- Outcomes for paediatric ocular trauma have significantly improved.
- Paediatric eye injuries now appear to have a better prognosis than those in adults.
Aims:
To investigate the current causes and outcomes of paediatric ocular trauma.
Methods:
A prospective observational study of all children admitted to hospital with ocular trauma in Scotland over a 1 year period.
Results:
The commonest mechanism of injury was blunt trauma, accounting for 65% of the total. 60% of the patients were admitted with a hyphaema. Injuries necessitating admission occurred most frequently at home (51%). Sporting activities were the commonest cause of injury in the 5-14 age group. There were no injuries caused by road traffic accidents or fireworks. Patients were admitted to hospital for a mean of 4.2 days (range 1-25 days). One (1%) child had an acuity in the "visually impaired" range (6/18-6/60) and one (1%) was "blind" (6/60) in the affected eye. No child was bilaterally blinded by injury and none required blind or partial sight registration.
Conclusion:
This study has shown that the incidence of eye injuries affecting children has fallen. The outcome of ocular trauma has improved significantly, and for the first time paediatric injuries appear to have a better prognosis than injuries affecting adults.