Clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of severe childhood ocular injuries in southern iran
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Published on: August 25, 2021
Hamid Hosseini1, Masoumeh Masoumpour, Fatemeh Keshavarz-Fazl
1Poostchi Ophthalmology Research Center, Shiraz School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Insights
Childhood ocular trauma is common in southern Iran, with sharp objects causing most injuries. Prevention through careful supervision is crucial for reducing childhood vision impairment.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood ocular trauma is a significant cause of visual impairment globally.
- Understanding the specific characteristics of pediatric ocular injuries is essential for developing targeted prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical and epidemiological features of ocular trauma in children.
- To identify risk factors and outcomes associated with pediatric ocular injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for 278 children (≤15 years) hospitalized with ocular injuries.
- Data collected from a tertiary referral center in Shiraz, Iran (2005-2008).
- Statistical analysis using Chi-square test; P<0.05 for significance.
Main Results:
- Males (74%) were more affected than females (2.81:1 ratio); mean age was 7.6 years.
- Sharp objects caused 76% of injuries; 74% were open-globe injuries.
- Lens injury occurred in 30-43% of cases; 10% developed post-traumatic endophthalmitis, associated with needle injury and intraocular foreign bodies.
Conclusions:
- Ocular trauma is a major contributor to childhood visual morbidity in southern Iran.
- Playing with sharp objects is a primary cause of pediatric ocular injuries.
- Enhanced supervision can significantly prevent these injuries and preserve vision.
Purpose:
To evaluate the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of children with ocular trauma.
Materials And Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 278 children (aged 15 years or less) hospitalized with ocular injuries and treated as inpatients at a tertiary referral center in Shiraz, Iran, from 2005 to 2008. Nominal variables were evaluated with a Chi-square test. A P-value less than 0.05 indicated statistical significance.
Results:
The cohort was comprised of 205 (74%) males, outnumbering females by a ratio of 2.81/1. The mean age was 7.6 ± 3.96 years. Rural residents comprised 125 (45%) of the cohort. Sharp objects caused ocular injury in 211 (76%) cases, and 207 (74%) cases had open-globe injuries. The lens was injured in 62 (30%) cases at initial examination and 89 (43%) patients according to ultrasound examination (P = 0.006). Twenty-eight cases (10%) developed post-traumatic endophthalmitis. Endophthalmitis was associated with needle injury [odd ratio (OR) = 19.25] and presence of intraocular foreign body (OR = 3.48). Visual acuity of patients with closed-globe injuries was 20/200 or better on both initial and final examinations. Visual acuity of patients with open-globe injuries were in the range of light perception to 20/200.
Conclusions:
Trauma is an important cause of childhood ocular morbidity in southern Iran. Playing with sharp objects is an important cause of ocular trauma in children, and most injuries can be prevented by careful supervision.
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