Pediatric eye injuries in a Canadian emergency department.
OBJECTIVE
This study assesses the descriptive epidemiology of children with eye injuries presenting to the emergency department of a major Canadian pediatric hospital.


METHODS
A retrospective cohort study.


METHODS
All pediatric patients (up to 18 years of age) presenting with ocular injuries to a tertiary care pediatric emergency department between January 1 and December 31, 2002.


METHODS
Chart review was conducted using Canadian Hospital Injury Reporting and Prevention Program forms. All injuries were classified by Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology (BETT).


RESULTS
There were 149 patients who presented with eye injuries to the emergency department in 2002, and all of them were included in the study. Patient ages ranged from 3 months to 18 years with a median age of 8 years 8 months (interquartile range 4-11 years). Boys accounted for 73.2% of the patient total. Most of the cases (57.7%) needed some treatment and required follow-up. Eleven patients (7.3%) had vision-threatening eye injuries that required surgical management, and 3 of these required multiple surgeries. Seven of the 11 patients suffered open globe lacerations, 3 open globe ruptures, and 1 closed globe injury.


CONCLUSIONS
Most eye injuries occurred at home during the summer, and over 7% of children presenting to the emergency department with eye trauma had vision-threatening injuries that required surgical management. Increasing awareness of the serious nature of ocular injuries will help to develop a comprehensive plan for educating both parents and children to minimize preventable pediatric eye injuries.
Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont.
Dominik W
DW
Podbielski
Dominic W
DW
Podbielski
Michael
M
Surkont
Nasrin N
NN
Tehrani
Savithiri
S
Ratnapalan
Savithiri R
SR
Ratnapalan
D000293:Adolescent; D017677:Age Distribution; D002170:Canada / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006776:Hospitals, Pediatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D017678:Sex Distribution