Eye injuries among children in Kuwait: pattern and outcome

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Pediatric ocular injuries represent a significant public health concern.
• Previous reports indicated lower incidence rates for severe ocular injuries in children.
• Understanding the epidemiology of childhood eye injuries is crucial for prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the incidence, causes, and outcomes of ocular injuries in children admitted to a Kuwaiti hospital.
• To identify risk factors and common etiologies of pediatric eye trauma.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of early medical intervention on visual outcomes.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 194 pediatric patients with ocular injuries admitted over a one-year period (1983).
• Data collection included injury type, cause, time to presentation, treatment, and final visual acuity.
• Calculation of incidence rates and comparison with previous epidemiological studies.

Main Results:

• Pediatric ocular injuries constituted 8.7% of total admissions and 56% of all ocular injuries.
• The incidence of severe ocular injury was 0.35% per 1000 children per year.
• Catapulted missiles were the leading cause (26%), followed by perforating (24%) and concussion (57%) injuries.
• Early presentation correlated with a low rate of secondary infection.
• Visual acuity of 6/12 or better was achieved in 78.5% of concussion injuries and 27.3% of perforating injuries.

Conclusions:

• Kuwait reported higher pediatric ocular injury rates than previously documented.
• Prompt medical attention is vital for improving visual outcomes in childhood eye injuries.
• Implementing educational programs in schools is recommended to reduce the incidence of pediatric ocular trauma.