ETIOLOGY OF PERFORATING EYE INJURY

This study addresses the aetiology of perforating ocular injury in chi ldhood and possible preventative measures. Data have been collected fr om the casenotes of 143 patients presenting over a 10 year period to a single ophthalmic unit. Injuries occurred most often in a domestic se tting (34%) or with a child at play (19%) and showed an overall four t o one ratio of boys to girls. Sports injuries accounted for 15% and as sault for 8% of all injuries. A changing pattern of ocular injury is e vident: road traffic accidents constituted 6% of injuries, compared wi th 31% in a similar study published in 1976. The role of litigation is discussed, particularly with regard to firearms, which accounted for 8% of injuries. It is concluded that the most important factor in the prevention of perforating ocular trauma is parental awareness, 53% of injuries occurring with the child in a domestic setting or at play.