Pediatric ocular injuries in Lesotho

BackgroundCorneal lacerations mostly affect younger children, commonly males, who will constitute the majority of the workforce. Clinical outcomes are reviewed and compared so that measures to reduce their occurrence and improve outcome can be proffered.MethodsRecords of all children between the ages of 1-18 yrs, who presented with penetrating eye injuries at the eye clinic of the University of Port Harcourt teaching Hospital, Rivers state, Nigeria between January 2002 and December 2009 were included. Information retrieved -patient’s Bio data, presenting symptoms, presenting visual acuity (VA), source of injury, surgical intervention and outcome using VA. All data analysed with EPI Info version 6 with the aid of a statistician.ResultsFolders of thirty-six children (36 eyes) between the ages of 0–18 years diagnosed with corneal laceration over a period of 8 years out of 65 cases managed within that period available. Other folders reported as missing. Male female ratio 3:1, the mean age is 8.7 years (SD ± 3.67). Only one presented within 24 hours. Objects causing injury mainly missiles with stones/catapult injuries (n = 8, 22.2%). Presenting VAs in those that could be measured, ranged from 6/24 to 6/60 (n = 4, 11%) to no light perception (NLP) (n = 5, 13.9%). Associated injuries include lid laceration, cataract, vitreous haemorrhage and retinal detachment. Twenty one patients had primary corneal repair (58.3%) carried out within 7 days of presentation. Four had endophthalmitis. After 3 months follow up, VA of 6/60 and better was achieved in 11 of 18 eyes left in follow up (6/60-6/24 in 8 eyes (22.2%), 6/18 and better in 3 eyes (8.3%).ConclusionMost eye injuries in children are preventable. In this study, the prognosis was better in those whose injuries were confined to a peripheral part of the cornea, with no other associated injury, who presented within 5 days and who did not have any intraocular infection at the time of presentation. The importance of health education, adult supervision of play and application of appropriate measures that is necessary for reducing the incidence and severity of trauma is emphasized.

show abstract

“…In our study, a significant number were injured during play at home. This was also the finding in other studies [8,9,15,17]. …”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 91%

Pattern of paediatric corneal laceration injuries in the University of port Harcourt teaching hospital, Rivers state, Nigeria

Adio

Nwachukwu

2012

BMC Res Notes

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…2,18,82,146 Overall, less than 5% of eye injuries in children are caused by animals. 13,38,40,57,80,90,96,108,118,124,133,144 Eye injuries caused by insects, predominantly ophthalmomyiasis, are the most widely reported. Dogs are the animals most likely to cause adnexal injuries in children, with a predilection for canalicular injury.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Animal-inflicted ocular and adnexal injuries in children: A systematic review

Yardley

Hoskin

Hanman

et al. 2015

Survey of Ophthalmology

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Eye injury remains the leading cause of monocular blindness in children despite 90% of injuries being potentially preventable. Children interact with animals in a variety of situations, and the associated dangers may be underestimated. Animals are capable of causing ocular and adnexal injuries that are cosmetically and visually devastating. We examine the current literature regarding the nature and severity of animal-inflicted ocular and adnexal injuries in children.

show abstract

“…Thorny bushes near homes or playgrounds should be removed or fenced in. Increased and more careful adult supervision is of great value in preventing eye injuries in children, 14,22,25 since they cannot be fully responsible for their actions. Access to sharp instruments, close observation of dangerous adult work, and potentially hazardous games with sticks or sharp missiles must be restricted.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Epidemiological data pertaining to childhood penetrating eye injuries in developed countries have been published, [8][9][10][11] but there are few studies of the situation in Africa. [12][13][14] In South Africa, no current data are available with which accurately to assess the importance of ocular trauma in children in terms of frequency, distribution, and impact on vision.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%