Ophthalmic injuries in children involved in all-terrain vehicle crashes.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the spectrum of ophthalmic injuries in children involved in all-terrain vehicle (ATV) crashes.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of a level 1 children's trauma center to identify cases with ICD-9 codes pertaining to crashes involving ATVs and cross-referenced for ophthalmic trauma. From these cases, we documented the nature of the crash, patient's age, ophthalmic injuries received, and length of hospitalization.


RESULTS
Twenty children, 5 to 16 years of age (mean, 11.1 years), involved in ATV crashes were admitted between June 1997 and April 2002. One was riding with an adult and 3 with other children; 16 were operating the vehicles alone at the time of their crashes. None was wearing a helmet, and all had head trauma. Nine patients had ophthalmic injuries, including lacerations of the eyelid (n = 5), orbital fractures (n = 9), and traumatic optic neuropathies (n = 2). The latter two had final visual acuities of count fingers and no light perception. The average length of hospitalization was 6.6 days.


CONCLUSIONS
Ophthalmic trauma is a frequent complication of ATV crashes involving children. Injuries may range from minor lacerations to complex orbital fractures; visual loss may be severe. We believe that the age of the vehicles' operators and their failure to wear protective helmets contribute to the severity of injuries.
Edmonson
Brenda C
BC
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee 38163, USA.
Wilson
Matthew W
MW
Fleming
James C
JC
Haik
Barrett G
BG
D000056:Accident Prevention; D000059:Accidents; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006259:Craniocerebral Trauma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D005260:Female; D006260:Head Protective Devices; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015541:Off-Road Motor Vehicles; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012309:Risk-Taking; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology; D014792:Visual Acuity