title: Effect of penetrating and blunt ocular trauma on the outcome of traumatic cataract in children in northern India.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We studied the demographic profile and outcome of traumatic cataract after penetrating and blunt ocular trauma in children in northern India.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed the medical records of children with penetrating and blunt ocular trauma associated with traumatic cataract who underwent cataract surgery with posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation and having more than 1 year follow up. We evaluated the demographic characteristics and visual outcome in the affected eye.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 100 children (100 eyes), 65 were penetrating trauma and 35 were blunt trauma. The common modes of injury in the penetrating group were wooden splinters in 30.8% and bow and arrow in 15.4%. Fire crackers and trauma during play with ball were seen in 34% and 11.4% of blunt eye trauma, respectively. The age ranged from 1 to 14 years (mean, 7.8 years) in the penetrating trauma and 2 to 15 years (mean, 8.3 years) in the blunt trauma group. The best corrected visual acuity of 20/40 or better was achieved in 57.6% eyes in penetrating group compared with 71.4% in the blunt trauma group. Visually significant posterior capsular opacification developed in 32.3% eyes in penetrating group and 28.6% eyes in blunt trauma group. Glaucoma was diagnosed in 4.6% eyes in penetrating group and 8.6% in blunt trauma group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Eye injuries with traumatic cataract are associated with significant visual impairment. There were more children with penetrating eye injuries as compared with blunt trauma. Cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation is a preferred method for visual rehabilitation in these children.
  
  
  METHODS
  Epidemiologic study, level IV.
authors.affiliation: Advanced Eye Centre, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh 160012, India. drjagatram@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Jagat
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ram
authors.forename: Neelam
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Verma
authors.forename: Nishant
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.forename: Manish
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chaudhary
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000550:Amblyopia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D002386:Cataract / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D002387:Cataract Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007223:Infant; D015601:Injury Severity Score; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology*; D014949:Wounds, Nonpenetrating / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis