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Pattern and visual outcome of eye injuries in children at Abakaliki, Nigeria
G C Onyekonwu1, C M Chuka-Okosat
1Department of Ophthalmology, Ebonyi State University Teaching Hospital, Abakiliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria.
Insights
Blunt eye injuries are most common in children in agricultural Abakaliki, Nigeria. Most cases present late, impacting visual outcomes, highlighting the need for increased awareness and education.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Ocular injury research often overlooks non-urban settings.
- Understanding injury patterns in agricultural communities is crucial for targeted interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the characteristics and visual outcomes of pediatric eye injuries in Abakaliki, Nigeria.
- To address the data gap in ocular trauma in rural and agricultural regions.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of pediatric eye injury cases (0-15 years) at Federal Medical Center, Abakaliki (May 2004 - June 2006).
- Data extracted included demographics, injury type, cause, and time to presentation.
- Visual acuity outcomes were assessed for prognosis evaluation.
Main Results:
- Blunt eye injuries were predominant (79.4%), often caused by sharp objects like sticks during play (38.2%).
- Most injuries occurred at home (50%), with late presentation (91.2%) being common.
- Penetrating injuries had poorer visual prognosis; 35.3% achieved final visual acuity better than 6/18.
Conclusions:
- Blunt eye injury is the most frequent type in this rural Nigerian setting.
- Delayed hospital presentation significantly affects visual outcomes in pediatric eye injuries.
- Enhanced parental and caregiver education is vital to reduce the incidence and improve outcomes of childhood eye injuries.
Background:
Most studies on ocular injuries have been conducted in urban areas to the neglect of other areas.
Objective:
To ascertain the pattern and visual outcome following eye injuries in children at Abakaliki, a largely agricultural communityy in Southern Eastern Nigeria
Methods:
A retrospective study of all the children aged 0-15 years, who had eye injuries and presented to the Federal Medical Center, Abakaliki, Nigeria, between May 2004 and June 2006. Their medical case records were retrieved and extracted data for analysis included age, sex, type and cause of eye injury and duration prior to presentation.
Results:
Of the 119 medical records of patients (adults and children) with eye injuries within the study period, 34 (28.6%) patients were those of children aged 0-15 years. There were 24 (70.6%) males and 10 (29.4%) females, giving a male to female ratio of 2.4:1.0. Blunt ocular injury constituted 27 (79.4%) cases whereas penetrating injury were 5 (14.7%) cases. Sharp or pointed objects accounted for 14 (41.2%) cases of agents of injuries, sticks being the commonest. While the most common place of trauma was at home 17 (50%) cases, followed by trauma at schools 9 (26.5%) cases, the commonest activity at occurrence of injuries was playing 13 (38.2%) cases. Only three (8.8%) cases presented to the hospital within 24 hours. Majority, 31 (91.2%) cases presented late. Visual prognosis was poorer in penetrating injuries than in mild blunt injuries. Final visual acuity (VA) could not be determined in 11 (32.4%) patients because they were either under age or defaulted from follow up. Of the remaining 23 (67.6%) patients, 12 (35.3%) had a final VA better than 6/18, 1 (2.9%) had VA in the range of 6/18-6/60, 6 (17.6%) had VA of < 6/60 while 4 (11.8%) had NPL. 8 (23.5%) patients needed hospital admission.
Conclusion:
Blunt eye injury is the commonest type of injury in rural or agricultural Abakaliki, South-Eastern Nigeria. An increase in parental and care giver awareness and education is emphasized.
