Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2026
Surgical Correction for Pediatric Epiblepharon and Trichiasis
Published on: July 8, 2025
Major pediatric ocular trauma in Taiwan
Mei-Ling Liu1, Yi-Sheng Chang, Sung-Huei Tseng
1Department of Ophthalmology, National Cheng Kung University Hospital Dou-Liou Branch, Yunlin, Taiwan.
Insights
Pediatric ocular trauma is common in young boys, often caused by penetrating injuries at home. Increased public awareness and safety measures are crucial for prevention.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Trauma
- Public Health
Background:
- Pediatric ocular trauma represents a significant cause of vision impairment in children.
- Understanding the epidemiology and mechanisms of injury is vital for developing effective prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the characteristics and outcomes of major pediatric ocular trauma in Taiwan.
- To identify risk factors and potential preventive measures for childhood eye injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records of pediatric patients (≤15 years) hospitalized for eye injuries.
- Data collected included injury mechanisms, types of trauma, surgical interventions, and visual outcomes.
Main Results:
- 156 children (mean age 7.1 years, 2.1:1 boy:girl ratio) were analyzed.
- Penetrating injuries were most common, frequently caused by scissors, pencils, and broken eyeglasses, often occurring at home.
- Open globe injuries were prevalent (71.2%), with significant rates of corneal laceration and lens damage; 52.6% achieved good visual outcomes, but 23.1% had poor final vision.
Conclusions:
- Younger boys are disproportionately affected by penetrating ocular trauma, often sustained in domestic settings.
- Many injuries are preventable through enhanced public awareness and targeted risk reduction.
- Improved public education is essential to reduce the incidence of pediatric eye injuries.
Purpose:
To investigate major pediatric ocular trauma in Taiwan.
Methods:
Retrospective review of medical records of all patients 15 years and younger who were hospitalized with a primary diagnosis of eye injury at National Cheng Kung University Hospital, Taiwan, between June 1988 and May 2006.
Results:
There were 156 children (156 eyes) 1.1 to 15.0 years (mean+/-standard deviation, 7.1+/-0.3 years; boy: girl ratio: 2.1:1). Objects most often causing penetrating injury were scissors (13.5%), pencils/pens (12.2%), broken eyeglasses/spectacles (7.7%), and knives (6.4%). Most blunt trauma occurred in traffic accidents (5.8%). Most injuries occurred at home, followed by on the street, at school, and at sports venues. Injuries were classified as open globe (71.2%), adnexal only (18.6%), or closed globe (10.3%), and included corneal laceration (40.4%), lens damage (27.6%), hyphema (25.6%), and eyelid laceration (23.7%). Most surgical procedures were primary repair (88.5%) or removal of a damaged lens (22.4%). Additional surgery was performed in 19.9% of cases. After treatment, 56.4% of eyes had corneal opacity/scar and 7.1% became phthitic; 52.6% had good visual outcome, whereas 23.1% had poor final vision. Compared with visual acuity measured on admission, final visual acuity was improved in 76.1%, unchanged in 19.7%, and worse in 4.3%. Predictors of worse outcome were open-globe injury and larger wound size, posterior segment involvement, and presence of an intraocular foreign body.
Conclusions:
Most of the children hospitalized for major ocular trauma are younger boys with penetrating injuries suffered at home. Most injuries could have been prevented by increased awareness and reduction of risk factors, and the authors urge better public education for improved safety.
