A Prospective Study on the Medicolegal aspects of Traumatic Eye Injuries in Upper Egypt and Their Outcomes

Abstract

Background: Ocular injuries are more common in underdeveloped nations and a preventable cause of blindness and monocular vision impairment. The effects of sight loss brought on by occupational ocular injuries have a direct and indirect impact on employees' and their families' futures, on social interaction, and on the growth and prosperity of the nations. Objectives: The present study aimed to evaluate eye trauma cases presentation and outcomes; and to determine if early diagnosis and intervention will affect patient outcome and occurrence of permanent infirmity or not. Methods: The present study was performed as a prospective cross-sectional study during the period (from 1st of January 2022 to 30th of June 2022) involving 405 individuals who attended Sohag University Hospitals. The visual acuity of all injured cases was measured after complete recovery using Landolt C chart. Results: Most of cases were under the age of 18 years with male predominance. Wooden and plant objects were the leading causes of most cases; followed by kitchen tools then and metal objects. The most common closed globe injuries were caused by foreign body, corneal abrasion. While penetrating injuries were the most common open globe injuries. Conclusion: Cases who presented earlier in less than 6 hours had final VA (visual acuity) better compared with those who presented after more than one day. Complicated cases of global rupture had poor visual acuity than the others. Cases that received treatment early and followed up regularly had better outcome than delayed cases or cases that neglected regular follow up.