[Etiologies of ocular and eyelid trauma in Burkina Faso]

To identify the epidemiological features of ocular traumas in Burkina Faso.

A retrospective study was conducted in the eye department of the National Hospital of Ouagadougou, from January 1995 to 31 December 1997. All cases of eye trauma during this period were included.

The study showed that ocular traumas represented 9.80% of the reasons for consultation in the unit. 73% of the patients were male. The median age was 21. School children and students were the most frequently involved 25.8%) and 58.9% of the patients came from Ouagadougou while 41.1% came from the rural areas. Public thoroughfare accidents (were the main causes of the trauma (25%). Among the traumatic agents, 26% involved vegetal materials.

Ocular traumas are a major cause of blindness in Western Africa and concern mostly young people. Prevention strategies based on education and information about road safety could reduce the incidence of ocular traumatisms.