Pediatric Ocular Trauma in Taiwan

Background: Ocular trauma is a significant problem in pediatric patients. The aim of thisinvestigation was to evaluate the demographic, etiologic and prophylacticfactors of pediatric ocular trauma in a tertiary center in northern Taiwan.Methods: A retrospective review of medical charts of patients aged 15 years oryounger who visited the emergency department of Chang Gung MemorialHospital, Taoyuan for ocular trauma between July 2003 and June 2004 wasundertaken.Results: Of the 228 children in this study, ocular trauma occurred more frequently inboys than in girls (151:77 patients, p < 0.0001). Twenty-one patients (9.2%)presented with bilateral trauma. The most common ocular injury was closedglobe injury (178 patients, 78.1%). The next most common ocular injurieswere burns (35 patients, 15.4%), open globe injuries (8 patients, 3.5%) andorbital injuries (7 patients, 3.1%). Falling was the most common cause ofocular trauma in these children, followed by trauma caused by a fist or otherpart of the body. Sharp objects such as knives or scissors were the most commoncause of open globe injuries. Visual impairment (visual acuity less than20/50) occurred in three open globe injury patients.Conclusions: Ocular trauma in children is associated with visual loss. Many of the caseswere preventable. Public education, general awareness and aggressive primarymanagement may be indicated to optimize visual outcome.