Orient Journal of Surgical Sciences

AIM: To determine the incidence and pattern of ocular injuries at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital Awka, Nigeria

METHODS: This is a retrospective hospital based study carried out at the Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Teaching Hospital, Awka. The case notes of new patients seen at the Eye unit of the hospital from July 2016 to June 2018 were examined. Those with eye injuries were further reviewed. Relevant information was extracted for the study. The results were analysed using the scientific calculator and presented with frequency tables and bar chart.

RESULTS: Out of the 2559 new patients seen, 156 (6.1%) had unilateral eye injuries while four patients sustained bilateral ocular trauma giving rise to 160 injured eyes. Of the 156 patients, 97 (62.2%) were males while 59 (37.8%) were females, with male to female ratio of 1.6 : 1. The age range was 6 months to 92 years, mean age 33.4 years. Fist 45 (28.8%) was the most common agent causing injuries followed by missiles 26 (16.7%). Activities leading to injuries included fighting 39 (25%), playing 22 (14.7%), vocational work 19 (12.2%) and farming 18 (11.5%). Seventy-two eyes (45%) had visual acuity of 6/6 to 6/18 and 56 (35%) had acuity of <3/60 in the injured eyes. Ocular contusion 39 (25%) was the most common diagnosis. Fifty- eight patients (37.2%) presented within 24 hours whereas 3 cases (1.9%) came after one month.

CONCLUSION: Ocular injury can be encountered in any activity engaged by man. It may be accidental or deliberately inflicted. Males and younger age group are more at risk. Fight was the most common activity leading to eye trauma in our audit. Generally, there was delayed presentation at the hospital following the injury. However, the severer the injury, the earlier the presentation.

Keywords: Incidence; Pattern; Ocular injury; Presentation.