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Ocular injuries in children

I Murithi1, S Gichuhi, M W Njuguna

  • 1Department of Ophthalmology, College of Health Sciences, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya.

East African Medical Journal
|June 12, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Pediatric eye injuries are severe, often caused by sticks, and disproportionately affect young children in low-income areas. Delays in care and inadequate initial treatment lead to poor visual outcomes, highlighting the need for injury prevention programs.

Area of Science:

  • Ophthalmology
  • Pediatric Ophthalmology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Eye injuries in children represent a significant public health concern.
  • Understanding the epidemiology and referral patterns is crucial for improving care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To describe the epidemiology, referral system, and visual outcomes of pediatric eye injuries.
  • To identify factors contributing to poor outcomes and inform prevention strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective case series conducted at Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH), Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Inclusion of children aged up to 15 years hospitalized for eye injuries between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2004.
  • Analysis of injury causes, injury severity, referral delays, initial medical care, hospitalization details, and visual outcomes.

Main Results:

  • 182 cases of pediatric eye injuries were analyzed, with a 2:1 male to female ratio.
  • Sticks were the most common cause (35%), and 70% of injuries were open-globe.
  • 77% presented with visual acuity worse than 6/60, with significant delays in reaching KNH and inadequate care at referring centers.

Conclusions:

  • Pediatric eye injuries at KNH are severe, predominantly affecting pre-school children from low-income backgrounds.
  • Delayed presentation and insufficient initial management at referring facilities contribute to poor visual outcomes.
  • Despite poor initial outcomes, some visual improvement was noted, emphasizing the need for targeted injury-prevention programs.
Abstract

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