A STUDY OF MECHANICAL OCULAR INJURIES IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NORTH BENGAL

UDAYADITYA MUKHOPADHYAY; AMALESH  PANDA; NABANITA BARUA; CHANDANA CHAKRABORTI

Volume : VI, Issue : I, January - 2017

A STUDY OF MECHANICAL OCULAR INJURIES IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL IN NORTH BENGAL

Udayaditya Mukhopadhyay, Amalesh Panda, Nabanita Barua, Chandana Chakraborti

Abstract :

Background: Ocular injury is an important public health hazard. It is an important cause of visual loss and disability. Many ocular injuries are avoidable causes of blindness and visual impairment.[1] Ocular injury is a major health problem in India also, blunt trauma being an important cause of ocular morbidity and blindness. Very few studies had been carried out on pattern of ocular trauma in North Bengal. So in view of public health importance, this study will provide information on magnitude and pattern of ocular injuries at North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, Darjeeling, a tertiary care centre in North Bengal. It will serve as a basis for designing and implementing preventive measures to be undertaken by respective authorities. Objective: To assess the pattern and to identify the socio–demographic factors and epidemiological correlates of the patients of mechanical ocular injuries attending in a tertiary care hospital in North Bengal, Darjeeling, West Bengal. Materials & methods: An institution based observational study was conducted in the Ophthalmology Department of North Bengal Medical College And Hospital, Darjeeling, for one year from 1st July 2015 to 30th June 2016 involving 162 patients with mechanical ocular injuries. Relevant data regarding socio–demographic factors and detailed history were taken from the eligible patients who were presented at the eye OPD and indoor. Detailed ocular and systemic examinations were done and primary management was given to all the patients. Results: Among 162 patients 73.5% were male. Majority of the study population belonged to 21–40 years age group. Most of the injuries (34%) were occurred at working place. Commonest occupation was unskilled worker (30.2%). Closed globe injuries were the commonest (66.7%) and contusion injury was the commonest (29.6%) among all type of injury.35.2% of the study population had clinical blindness (VA < 3/60) at presentation.