Eye injuries in children: the current picture

Citation
Cj. Macewen et al., Eye injuries in children: the current picture, BR J OPHTH, 83(8), 1999, pp. 933-936
Citations number
29
Categorie Soggetti
Optalmology,"da verificare
Journal title
BRITISH JOURNAL OF OPHTHALMOLOGY
ISSN journal
00071161 → ACNP
Volume
83
Issue
8
Year of publication
1999
Pages
933 - 936
Database
ISI
SICI code
0007-1161(199908)83:8<933:EIICTC>2.0.ZU;2-N
Abstract
Aims-To investigate the current causes and outcomes of paediatric ocular tr auma. Methods-A prospective observational study of all children admitted to hospi tal with ocular trauma in Scotland over a 1 year period. Results-The commonest mechanism of injury was blunt trauma, accounting for 65% of the total. 60% of the patients were admitted with a hyphaema. Injuri es necessitating admission occurred most frequently at home (51%). Sporting activities were the commonest cause of injury in the 5-14 age group. There were no injuries caused by road traffic accidents or fireworks. Patients w ere admitted to hospital for a mean of 4.2 days (range 1-25 days). One (1%) child had an acuity in the "visually impaired)) range (6/18-6/60) and one (1%) was "blind") (6/60) in the affected eye. No child was bilaterally blin ded by injury and none required blind or partial sight registration. Conclusion-This study has shown that the incidence of eye injuries affectin g children has fallen. The outcome of ocular trauma has improved significan tly, and for the first time paediatric injuries appear to have a better pro gnosis than injuries affecting adults.