Assessing eye care behavior in rural India's traumatic cataract cases

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Trauma Care

Background:

• Ocular trauma is a leading cause of monocular blindness.
• Timely medical attention is critical for preserving vision after eye injuries.
• This study investigates health-seeking behaviors in ocular trauma patients, focusing on traumatic cataracts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine health-seeking behaviors and presentation intervals in ocular trauma cases.
• To identify factors influencing delayed reporting of eye injuries.
• To correlate presentation time with visual outcomes in traumatic cataract patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 2,093 traumatic cataract surgeries from 2009-2022 at a single center in Western Central India.
• Data collected from electronic medical records, including demographics and clinical details.
• Statistical analysis using SPSS version 22, with descriptive statistics and cross-tabulation (P < 0.05 significance).

Main Results:

• The cohort comprised 70.3% males, with a median age of 25 years; 39.4% were pediatric cases.
• Median interval between trauma and consultation was 15 days, with only 17.2% presenting within 24 hours.
• Delayed reporting significantly impacted visual outcomes (P = 0.000), with common reasons including lack of awareness and financial barriers.

Conclusions:

• Delayed presentation following ocular trauma is associated with poorer visual outcomes.
• Community awareness programs and patient counseling are vital to encourage early reporting.
• Promoting prompt medical attention can significantly reduce preventable blindness from eye injuries.