Patterns of Ocular Trauma among the Elderly in a South-American Urban Area and the Association between Eye Traumas with Sleep Disorders

AIMS: Eye trauma in the older population can lead to blindness. Sleep deterioration is associated with increased risk of occupational injuries. The purpose of the study was to assess the epidemiology of ocular trauma in the elderly population and to evaluate the relationship between eye trauma and sleep quality. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: This was a cross-sectional, observational hospital based study done in a Sao Paulo, Brazil. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients with ocular trauma aged 60 years who attended the Eye Trauma Service of the Santa Casa de Sao Paulo Central Hospital were included. All subjects underwent a complete eye examination and answered to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) questionnaire. The results were compared with an age and gender matched control group. RESULTS: Eighty-nine patients with ocular trauma were included in the epidemiological study, 71 (80%) were male and 18 (20%) were female. The patients’ ages ranged from 60 to 90 years (65.7 ± 7.1 years). Most accidents occurred at home and were of mild severity. The control group had a global PSQI score of 1.21 ± 1.37, whereas in the ocular trauma group the score was 3.11 ± 3.63 (P < 0.038). A post hoc analysis including only patients with severe trauma, the PSQI score was 8.80 ± 2.44 (P < 0.000). CONCLUSION: The elderly population represents an important group of ocular trauma in their own peculiar characteristics. Elderly victims of ocular trauma, particularly serious eye injury, have worse sleep quality than subjects of the same age.