Demography and prognostic factors of ocular injuries in South India

Purpose: To evaluate the extent of visual recovery after multi-disciplinary approach of treatment in serious ocular injuries; to determine the prognos tic factors associated with poor final visual outcome and suggest adequate precautionary measures. Methods: A retrospective analysis of 325 consecutive patients with direct o cular trauma who were examined and treated at a tertiary eye care centre in South India over a 3-year period was undertaken. Results: Males (86.8%) outnumbered the females (13.2%) and children (<16 ye ars) constituted 46.8% of the total affected population. Anterior segment w as involved in 51.1%, the posterior segment in 8.9% and both anterior and p osterior segments were involved in 31.4% of patients. Prompt and meticulous surgical treatment restored useful vision (better than or equal to 6/18) i n 60.5% of patients. Post-treatment a reduction in blindness and visual imp airment rates in the affected eye with respect to WHO classification was 66 .7 and 54.1% respectively (P < 0.0001). Two eyes needed prompt enucleation. The factors associated with visual impairment (visual acuity less than 6/1 8) were poor initial visual acuity, full chamber hyphema, endophthalmitis, retinal detachment, and vitreous haemorrhage. Conclusions: Direct ocular trauma remains an important potentially preventa ble cause of ocular morbidity, but the advent of modern surgical techniques can often restore useful vision in such situations. Mandatory use of prote ctive eye wear at work, public health education including awareness on the part of parents to the potential dangers of some childrens' toys can to an extent help reduce ocular morbidity due to direct ocular trauma.