Pediatric Ocular Trauma during Eid Festivities in Yemen

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Pediatric Trauma
• Public Health

Background:

• Childhood ocular trauma is a significant public health concern.
• Holiday periods can see an increase in eye injuries among children.
• Understanding injury patterns is vital for prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify the causes of ocular trauma in children under 17 during Eid festivities in Sana'a, Yemen.
• To analyze the types of injuries and their circumstances.
• To inform public health interventions.

Main Methods:

• Prospective observational case series.
• Study conducted in two tertiary emergency hospitals in Sana'a, Yemen.
• Included 160 children under 17 with ocular trauma during Eid Al-Fitr 2016.

Main Results:

• 160 male children (mean age 9.59 years) presented with ocular injuries.
• Most injuries (95%) occurred outdoors, primarily from toy guns and fireworks.
• Common findings included hyphema, corneal laceration, and corneal abrasion.

Conclusions:

• Toy guns and fireworks are major causes of severe childhood eye injuries during holidays.
• These injuries often require medical intervention and can lead to long-term complications.
• Health education programs are essential to raise awareness among parents and professionals.