Ocular trauma in counter insurgency and proxy war environment: Epidemiological study, 1992-2004

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Military Medicine
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Hospitalized ocular injuries in a forward area of northern India during counter-insurgency and proxy war were analyzed.
• The study covers a 13-year period, examining injury epidemiology in a hostile environment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the epidemiology of hospitalized ocular injuries in a combat zone.
• To identify the primary causes and types of eye injuries in military personnel.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective observational study of 458 patients with ocular injuries treated at a zonal referral hospital.
• Medical records from January 1992 to December 2004 were reviewed.

Main Results:

• 559 eyes were studied; 86.5% of injuries were combat-related, primarily from munition splinters (93.9%).
• Open globe injuries (60.36%) were most common, with perforations in 76.33% of these. Corneal foreign bodies were frequent in closed globe injuries (47.74%).
• 15.75% of injured eyes required evisceration.

Conclusions:

• Splinter eye injuries from munitions are the primary cause of ocular morbidity in this conflict setting.
• Implementing protective eyewear and preventive measures is crucial for reducing eye injuries and associated costs.