Profile of Ocular Trauma Patients presenting to the National Eye Referral Hospital, Asmara, Eritrea

Abstract Background Ocular trauma is a significant disabling health problem and a leading cause of visual impairment and loss worldwide. These injuries have many diverse costs including human suffering, long term disabilities, loss of productivity and economic hardship. Therefore, assessing the profile of ocular trauma, the etiology and its outcome is critical to the prevention of ocular injuries Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted on ocular trauma patients presenting to Berhan Ayni National Eye Referral Hospital from August – November, 2018. Data on demography, presenting visual acuity, type of injury and visual outcome were collected using a standardized questionnaire. The types of injuries were classified according to Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology System. Pearson Chi-Square test (χ2)/or Fisher’s exact test in the Crosstab procedure was used to evaluate the relationship between specific variables. Logistic regression models were constructed to assess risk factors associated with blindness. Result 280 patients were seen with ocular trauma in the hospital during the study period. Males were 198 (70.7%) and peak age was 18–40 years. Ocular injury commonly occurred at home (31.8%), street and high way (31.4%) and workplace (28.9%). 24.7% of the injury was work-related. Common causes of injury were blunt objects (37.5%), sharp objects (31.1%) and fall (12.5%). 27.8% had open globe injury (OGI). Blindness was associated with rural residence (p < 0.0001), presentation greater than 24 hours (p = 0.04), non-use of eye protection goggles (p = 0.007), open globe injury (p = 0.018), posterior segment involvement (p < 0.0001) and hospitalization (p < 0.0001). Conclusion Immediate and comprehensive medical care is mandatory for ocular trauma patients. Educating the public especially at home and workplace is essential to prevent eye injuries.