Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 14, 2026
Grossing of Non-neoplastic Globes, Including Fetal Eyes
Published on: May 30, 2025
Epidemiological findings of ocular trauma in childhood
Angelino Julio Cariello1, Nilva Simerem Bueno Moraes, Somaia Mitne
1Department of Ophthalmology, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. angelino65@yahoo.com
Insights
Childhood ocular trauma, often caused by household accidents with objects like stones or wood, predominantly affects male schoolchildren. Prevention programs are crucial for reducing these eye injuries.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Public Health
Background:
- Ocular trauma is a significant cause of visual impairment in children.
- Understanding the epidemiology of childhood eye injuries is essential for developing targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To detail the epidemiological characteristics of ocular trauma in children presenting to an emergency unit.
- To identify common causes, mechanisms, and locations of eye injuries in pediatric patients.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 273 patients under 16 years old treated for ocular trauma.
- Data collected included age, sex, injury details, visual acuity, and management.
- Study period: September 2001 to September 2004 at the Federal University of São Paulo.
Main Results:
- Most affected age group: 7-10 years (39.9%).
- Leading causes: external agents (stone, iron, wood) (27.9%), domestic accidents (53.1%).
- Closed globe injuries predominated (73.6%); 63.4% had initial visual acuity >20/40.
Conclusions:
- Childhood ocular trauma is more common in male schoolchildren.
- Home environment and common objects are frequent sources of injury.
- Urgent need for educational and preventive programs to reduce pediatric eye injuries.
Purpose:
To describe epidemiological findings of ocular trauma in childhood in an emergency unit.
Methods:
A retrospective study was carried out including patients under 16 years old who were treated for ocular trauma at the emergency unit of the Federal University of São Paulo from September 2001 to September 2004. Age, sex, involved eye, place, circumstance and mechanism of injury, initial visual acuity and immediate management were recorded.
Results:
A total of 273 patients were included in the study. The age group comprising most cases was 7 to 10 years (39.9%). The most frequent cause of ocular injury was traumatism by external agents like stone, iron and wood objects (27.9%). The commonest place was the home (53.1%). Initial visual acuity was over 20/40 in 63.4% of cases. Closed globe injury occurred in 201 (73.6%) accidents. Seventy-six children (27. 8%) were treated with medicines and in forty-eight (17.6%) cases surgery was necessary.
Conclusion:
Ocular trauma in childhood was more frequent in the male schoolchild and was due mostly to traumatism with agents like stone, wood and iron pieces, domestic utensils and leisure objects. The injuries occurred most frequently at home. Closed globe injuries predominated. Programs of education and prevention for ocular trauma in childhood are necessary.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Microbiome of the Eye
01:17Accessory Structures of the Eye