Clinical profile of ocular trauma at a tertiary care hospital in South India: A retrospective study

Introduction Ocular injury is the commonest ocular emergency and can vary across geographical and socioeconomic regions. This study was conducted to determine the pattern of ocular injuries presenting to our tertiary care hospital located in Puducherry, Southern India. Methods A retrospective hospital-based study was performed and analyzed the records of the patients who presented with ocular injuries to the emergency department between January 2016 and December 2017. Data were collected using a structured format and noted the demographic profile and clinical profile of ocular injury. Results Of the 392 ocular emergencies, 318 (81.1%) were caused by ocular trauma. Mechanical trauma was most common (306; 96.2%). Males were more frequently affected (ratio; 3.7:1). Most cases of trauma belonged to the 21–30 years age group (86, 28.1%) and were caused by road traffic accidents (RTAs) (197; 64.4%). Adnexal injuries were commonest (285; 93.1%). The ocular injury was close globe type in 93 (30.4%) and the open globe in three (1.0%). Serious lid injury was present in 71 cases (23.2%). Serious injuries such as globe rupture and traumatic optic neuropathy were present in three (1.0%) and eleven (3.6%) cases, respectively. Conclusion Ocular trauma is the most common cause of ocular emergencies and RTA is the commonest cause of ocular trauma. We need to explore strategies to minimize ocular trauma as a priority.