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Pediatric eye injuries in a Canadian emergency department
Dominik W Podbielski1, Dominic W Podbielski, Michael Surkont
1Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
Insights
Pediatric eye injuries are common, with over 7% of emergency visits resulting in vision-threatening trauma requiring surgery. Most injuries occur at home, highlighting the need for increased awareness and prevention education for children and parents.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Emergency Medicine
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Pediatric eye injuries represent a significant public health concern.
- Understanding the epidemiology of these injuries is crucial for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the epidemiology of pediatric eye injuries presenting to a Canadian pediatric emergency department.
- To identify the characteristics and outcomes of children with ocular trauma.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective cohort study of 149 pediatric patients (0-18 years) presenting with eye injuries.
- Data collected via chart review using Canadian Hospital Injury Reporting and Prevention Program forms.
- Injuries classified using the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology (BETT) system.
Main Results:
- The median age was 8 years 8 months, with boys comprising 73.2% of cases.
- 57.7% of injuries required treatment and follow-up.
- 7.3% of patients had vision-threatening injuries necessitating surgical intervention, including open globe lacerations and ruptures.
Conclusions:
- Pediatric eye injuries frequently occur at home, particularly during summer months.
- A significant proportion of emergency department visits for eye trauma involve vision-threatening injuries.
- Enhanced public awareness and targeted educational programs are vital for preventing pediatric eye injuries.
Objective:
This study assesses the descriptive epidemiology of children with eye injuries presenting to the emergency department of a major Canadian pediatric hospital.
Study Design:
A retrospective cohort study.
Participants:
All pediatric patients (up to 18 years of age) presenting with ocular injuries to a tertiary care pediatric emergency department between January 1 and December 31, 2002.
Methods:
Chart review was conducted using Canadian Hospital Injury Reporting and Prevention Program forms. All injuries were classified by Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology (BETT).
Results:
There were 149 patients who presented with eye injuries to the emergency department in 2002, and all of them were included in the study. Patient ages ranged from 3 months to 18 years with a median age of 8 years 8 months (interquartile range 4-11 years). Boys accounted for 73.2% of the patient total. Most of the cases (57.7%) needed some treatment and required follow-up. Eleven patients (7.3%) had vision-threatening eye injuries that required surgical management, and 3 of these required multiple surgeries. Seven of the 11 patients suffered open globe lacerations, 3 open globe ruptures, and 1 closed globe injury.
Conclusions:
Most eye injuries occurred at home during the summer, and over 7% of children presenting to the emergency department with eye trauma had vision-threatening injuries that required surgical management. Increasing awareness of the serious nature of ocular injuries will help to develop a comprehensive plan for educating both parents and children to minimize preventable pediatric eye injuries.
