Epidemiology of hospitalized ocular injuries in the upper East region of ghana.

UNLABELLED Summary AIM OF STUDY The Upper East is the poorest and most rural region in Ghana and ocular injuries are a major public health problem. This study aims at providing epidemiologic data on the burden of this problem in order to facilitate the provision of integrated eye care and safety strategies for the prevention of such injuries in the region. DESIGN A retrospective case series. METHODS Computerized records of all eye injuries admitted to the clinic between January and December 2004 were retrieved and analyzed using the Epi-Info software. Injuries were classified using the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology while Snellen visual acuities were classified/banded using the WHO categories of visual impairments. RESULTS Ninety six eyes of 96 patients were admitted over the study period. Seventy five percent of the patients were males and 82.3% below the age of 30 years. Half of the patients had to travel beyond 100 km to get ophthalmic assistance. Only one third of the cases reported within 24 hours while 21% reported after one week of their injuries. These delayed periods of reporting showed no statistically significant relationship with the distances travelled to the hospital (p=0.76; chi2 test), nor the eventual visual outcome achieved following treatment. Open-globe injuries were by far the most common (60/96) and were 4.7 times more likely (Chi squared test) to produce poor visual outcome (p=0.02 CL 1.75-12.63). CONCLUSION Current eye care strategies do not adequately address the issue of eye injuries in the region. There is the need to provide integrated approach by incorporating primary eye care strategies into the existing primary health care system.