Pattern of ocular trauma admitted in a tertiary hospital

Ocular trauma is an important cause of ocular morbidity. This prospective study was conducted to identify primarily the population at risk, sources of eye injuries and the common barriers for their early management. Cases were selected randomly during the period Aug/2006 to March/2008 among the patients admitted in the department of ophthalmology, Mymensingh Medical College Hospital, with the history of ocular injury. A total of 100 eyes in 97 patients were included in the study. Age ranges were 1.5 years to 75 years. Male were 78.35% (n=76) & female were 21.65% (n=21). 56.00% (n=56) injuries were accidental occupational injuries. Common sources of eye injury included sharp objects used in occupational activities 43% (n=43), blunt objects 23% (n=23), Chemicals 7% (n=7), Projectile objects 8%, (n=8), Bird-beak 5% (n=5), agricultural trauma 3% (n=3) and miscellaneous 11% (n=11). Young adult males engaged in industrial, mechanical, agricultural or domestic works are at particular risk for ophthalmic trauma. Poverty, ignorance, indigenous treatment, remote communications and lack of supervised and collaborative management seems to be the possible barriers for the early management of ocular injuries. Preventive measures are recommended to adopt not only in the workplaces but also in domestic, recreational, sports and transport settings.