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Childhood penetrating eye injuries
Irish Medical Journal
|September 1, 1995
Insights
Penetrating eye injuries in children, often caused by thrown objects or toys, can lead to monocular blindness in a significant number of cases. This review highlights the impact of these injuries on young patients.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Trauma
Background:
- Penetrating eye injuries represent a significant cause of visual impairment in children.
- Understanding the epidemiology and causes is crucial for prevention strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the characteristics and outcomes of penetrating eye injuries in a pediatric population.
- To identify common causes and injury patterns in children.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 41 pediatric cases with penetrating eye injuries.
- Data collection included age, sex, injury site, cause, and visual outcomes.
Main Results:
- The study included 41 children aged 0-15 years; males were more affected (3.56:1 ratio).
- Corneal, corneoscleral, and scleral perforations were analyzed.
- Child-related incidents, such as thrown objects (42%) and hazardous toys (21%), were the primary causes.
- Monocular blindness occurred in 33% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Penetrating eye injuries in children are predominantly caused by everyday objects and toys.
- A substantial proportion of these injuries result in irreversible vision loss, emphasizing the need for preventative measures.
Abstract:
We reviewed 41 children with penetrating eye injuries from birth to 15 years of age between August 1982 to May 1990. Male to female ratio was 3.56:1. Thirteen (33%) cases resulted in monocular blindness. The distribution of penetrating injuries was based on the site of perforation: corneal, corneoscleral and scleral groups. The commonest cause of injury was child related from a thrown object (42%) and hazardous toys (21%).