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Prevalence, Characteristics, and Management of Pediatric Ocular Trauma in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective
Balsam Alabdulkader1, Yara Alsiwat1, Hessa Almatar2,3
1Department of Optometry, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
Ocular trauma is common in Saudi children, with boys aged 5-9 most affected. Most injuries occur at home or school, emphasizing the need for targeted prevention programs.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology
- Public Health
Background:
- Ocular trauma is a significant cause of visual impairment globally.
- Data on the burden of pediatric ocular trauma in Saudi Arabia is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the epidemiological characteristics of ocular trauma in pediatric patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- To provide data for targeted prevention strategies for childhood eye injuries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records of pediatric patients (age 1 month to 18 years) diagnosed with eye injuries between January 2016 and December 2020.
- Collection of demographic and injury characteristics.
- Classification of ocular trauma using the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology.
Main Results:
- A total of 855 pediatric patients were included, with 61.4% being boys.
- The highest incidence of ocular injuries was observed in children aged 5-9 years.
- Closed globe injuries constituted 70% of cases, with 42% occurring at home and 30% at school.
Conclusions:
- The findings underscore the need for tailored interventions to reduce pediatric eye injuries in Saudi Arabia.
- Well-planned prevention programs are crucial to mitigate the occurrence of eye injuries in children's daily environments.
Purpose:
Ocular trauma is a major cause of visual impairment; however, little is known about its burden in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the epidemiological characteristics of ocular trauma in pediatric patients in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Patients And Methods:
Medical records of pediatric patients diagnosed with eye injuries between January 2016 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Demographic and injury characteristics were collected, and ocular trauma injuries were classified according to the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology.
Results:
A total of 855 injured patients were included in the study, of whom 525 (61.4%) were boys. Patient age ranged from one month to 18 years. Most ocular injuries occurred in children aged 5-9 years. The injuries were more prevalent in boys than in girls. Closed globe injuries accounted for 70% of cases, open globe injuries for 21%, and other injuries for 9%. Most ocular injuries occurred at home (n = 87, 42%), followed by school (n = 61, 30%).
Conclusions:
These results may inform the implementation and targeting of interventions to reduce or prevent eye injuries in children. Further, they highlight the importance of well-planned prevention programs to prevent eye injuries from occurring in children's daily lives.
