Ocular emergencies in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of Congo).
OBJECTIVE
To determine frequencies of ocular emergencies and identify their nature.


METHODS
Observational case series.


METHODS
In a retrospective study, the records of all 118 consecutive patients seen in emergency room during an eleven-month period were reviewed.


RESULTS
Ocular emergencies represented 4% of the 2917 new patients visiting the department of Ophthalmology during this time. There was a 2.1/1 male to female preponderance and a peak age of presentation between 11 and 30 years. The mean age was 26 years +/- 17. Ocular trauma (68 patients) accounted for over two-fourths (57.6%) of the total cases. Only 16% of patients presented within 48 hours. Fifty-one percent of injuries occurred to the left eye, 38% to the right, and 10% bilaterally. The commonest ocular injury problems were eyelid laceration (13 patients, 19.1%), post-traumatic iritis (12 patients, 17.6%), and corneal laceration and penetration (10 patients, 14.7%), accounting for 51% (35 patients) of the total. Home- and work-related ocular injuries accounted for 54% of all ocular injuries. Thirty-three percent of all ocular injuries were caused by assault and fight, and 15% were related to motor vehicle accident. For the non-traumatic ocular emergencies, the main aetiological factor was inflammation (18%).


CONCLUSIONS
Our study showed that males account for the majority of eye injuries and this class is more prone to assault-related injuries. In our country prevention strategies must take account of these.
Kaimbo
Wa Kaimbo D
WK
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Kinshasa. kaimbo@raga.net
Spileers
W
W
Missotten
L
L
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data