Profile of ocular trauma in patients presenting to the department of ophthalmology at Hawassa University: Retrospective study

PURPOSE: To assess the pattern, presentation and risk factors of ocular trauma among patients treated at Hawassa University, Referral Hospital, Ophthalmology Department, South Ethiopia, 2014 METHODS: The medical records of all patients treated for ocular trauma at Hawassa University, Referral Hospital, Ophthalmology Department, during the period January 01, 2012 to July 31, 2014, were retrospectively reviewed. Trained optometrists, ophthalmic nurses and ophthalmic officer collected the data using a pretested data abstraction form. The descriptive and analytic statistics was carried out. RESULTS: A total of 773 patients (549 males and 224 females) were included in the study. Closed globe injury was more common in males (P = 0.019) and open globe injury was significantly common in children (P < 0.001). Corneal tear was the most frequently observed finding (39.33%). Surgery, secondary to trauma, was common in open globe injury (P < 0.001). About 98% of the patients presented after 6 hours post trauma. Among 84.61% patients whose visual acuity (VA) was recorded at presentation, 12.23% had VA of 6/6 and 65.90% had VA of <3/60. CONCLUSION: Ocular trauma was more common in males and children. Majority of patients (98%) presented after 6 hours post trauma. Cornea was the most commonly affected ocular structure by trauma.