Patterns of Ocular and Adnexal Injuries at Guinness Eye Centre, Onitsha, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Eye injuries contribute significantly to the current public health dilemma. They resulted in 16 million cases of blindness, 23 million cases of low vision and 19 million cases of monocular blindness globally. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of ocular and adnexal injuries at the Guinness Eye Centre, Onitsha. Materials and Methods: A longitudinal survey was done among consecutive patients with ocular trauma. Information was obtained, from each new patient, using a structured questionnaire including history, examination, relevant investigations, treatment, assessment of Ocular Trauma Score (OTS) and visual outcome. Results: Eighty patients aged 3-83 years were studied with an incidence of 1.06%. Majority of the injuries were accidentally self-inflicted (43.7%).  Thirty-five injuries were self-inflicted, 27 caused by sharp objects, 34 occurred at home and 22 were caused by assaults/fights. About 36 participants had closed globe injuries, 23 had open globe injuries and 21 adnexal-only injuries. No statistically significant association between type of injury and gender (p>0.05). There was a general improvement in the visual outcome of the injuries, but not statistically significant. (p=0.28). Conclusions: Eye injuries were common among the young and females in Guinness Eye Centre Onitsha. People should be educated on the preventive measures and appropriate management of these injuries.