Ocular Trauma: 2 Years Retrospective Study in Sari, Iran

INTRODUCTION Ocular trauma is one of the very important causes of blindness and disability in developing countries; despite the fact that it is preventable in the majority of cases. Considering the importance of the topic and the fact that most of such injuries are preventable, a better understanding of the etiology and epidemiology of the injuries has a vital importance in planning for reduction of their prevalence. The current study has aimed to identify the prevalence and epidemiology of the ocular trauma at the University Hospital Boo-Ali-Sina in the city of Sari (Northern Iran) between 2009-2010. METHOD This is a retrospective study of 178 patients' case notes who were admitted through the ophthalmology service to the above center. A proforma was designed and For the purpose of classification, the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) was used. RESULTS During the study period, 178 patients with eye trauma were admitted to the hospital of these, 135 (75.8%) male and 43 (24.2%) were female. 35 (19.7%) aged 25-34 and 98 (55.1%) cases lived in villages. The injuries were most common during winter (55/30.9% of cases). The most common diagnosis was open wound of eyelid (ICD-10 code: S01.1) (40/ 22.5% of cases) and in the majority of cases it was unilateral (left eye) (96/53.9%). The mode of the trauma was contact with blunt object in 22 (12.4%) cases (ICD-10 code: Y29). CONCLUSIONS Considering the prevalence of ocular trauma, appropriate education and the use of safety equipment are important measures to prevent the injuries. Our data shows that the prevalence of the injuries amongst the young workers is high and this necessitates the age group to be the target for such education. The education should include the vulnerable population at both extremes of age.