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[Ocular traumatism in children at Laquintinie Hospital, Douala (Cameroon)]
1Département d'ophtalmologie, ORL-stomatologie, Faculté de médecine et des sciences biomédicales, Université de Yaoundé-I, Cameroun.
Insights
Pediatric eye injuries in Cameroon are common, primarily caused by games and punishment, leading to severe vision loss. Early medical intervention is crucial for better outcomes in child eye trauma.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Public Health
Background:
- Pediatric ophthalmology services are underdeveloped in Cameroon.
- Data collection is underway to develop national strategies against childhood blindness.
- Ocular trauma is a significant concern in pediatric eye care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence, causes, and outcomes of ocular trauma in children under 15 in Cameroon.
- To inform strategies for preventing childhood blindness due to eye injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 144 pediatric ocular traumatism cases.
- Data collected from medical files at a large public hospital in Cameroon (June 1993 - May 1998).
- Analysis of injury frequency, demographics, causes, lesion types, and visual prognosis.
Main Results:
- Ocular/orbital injury occurred in 7.8% of pediatric cases, ranking third most common.
- Mean age was 7 years 3 months; boys were more affected (64%).
- Contusions from games (40.2%) and punishment (23.7%) were primary causes; 24.3% had vision <1/10.
Conclusions:
- Childhood eye injuries in Cameroon are frequent and often severe, impacting vision.
- Preventive measures include educating children on game dangers and addressing violence.
- Prompt ophthalmological consultation is vital to improve visual prognosis in pediatric eye trauma.
Abstract:
Pediatric ophthalmology is poorly developed in Cameroon. However, efforts are being made to collect data essential for the development of national strategies to combat blindness. We relate our experience, within this framework, at a large public hospital in Cameroon. We carried out a retrospective study covering the period from June 1993 to May 1998, studying the medical files of children under the age of 15 years with ocular traumatism. Data were collected from 144 files. The frequency of ocular/orbital injury was 7.8% and was the third most common condition, after ametropia and kerato-conjunctivitis, in this population. The mean age of the children was 7 years and 3 months and more boys (64%) than girls were affected. Ocular lesions were due to contusion in 83.3% of cases. The principal causes of the trauma were children's games (40.2%), and punishment by parents or teachers (23.7%). The ocular lesions were similar to those described in previous studies. Infection was rare, because the interval from trauma to consultation was very short. The functional prognosis was severe, with 24.3% of patients having final vision less than 1/10. We recommend that children should be informed about the dangers of violent games and that parents and teachers should be made aware of the dangers associated with brutality towards children. Finally, ophthalmologists should ensure that the injured eye is treated rapidly and carefully so as to minimize functional sequelae.