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Penetrating eye injuries in children in Ibadan

A M Baiyeroju-Agbeja1, O I Olurin-Aina

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

Insights

Penetrating eye injuries in children under 12 are common, with corneal lacerations being the main injury type. Poor visual outcomes were observed in most cases, highlighting the need for prompt intervention.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatric Medicine
  • Trauma Surgery

Background:

  • Penetrating eye injuries pose a significant threat to vision in children.
  • Understanding the epidemiology and outcomes of pediatric eye trauma is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the characteristics and visual outcomes of penetrating eye injuries in children under 12 years of age.
  • To determine the incidence and types of injuries in this demographic.

Main Methods:

  • A retrospective study was conducted on 60 children under 12 years old with penetrating eye injuries.
  • Data collected included injury type, patient demographics, and final visual acuity.

Main Results:

  • Penetrating eye injuries constituted 28.7% of all such injuries at the University College Hospital, Ibadan.
  • Corneal lacerations extending to the limbus were the most frequent injury (65%), predominantly affecting males (63%).
  • A significant proportion (80.7%) had poor visual outcomes, with only 19.3% achieving good vision (6/12 or better).

Conclusions:

  • Penetrating eye injuries in children under 12 are associated with a high incidence of severe visual impairment.
  • Prompt diagnosis and management are essential to improve visual outcomes in pediatric eye trauma.

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