IOSR Journal of Dental and Medical Sciences (IOSR-JDMS) e-ISSN: 2279-0853, p-ISSN: 2279-0861.Volume 18, Issue 1 Ver. 6 (January. 2019), PP 14-16 www.iosrjournals.org DOI: 10.9790/0853-1801061416 ww.iosrjournals.org 14 | Page Clinical Profile and Visual Outcome of Ocular Injuries in a Tertiary Hospital in Northern India Dr. Harvinder Nagpal 1 , Dr. Mandeep Kaur 2 1 Associate Professor, 2 Junior Resident, Department of Ophthalmology , Government Medical College , Patiala, Punjab ,India Corresponding author: Dr. Harvinder Nagpal Abstract Aim: To identify the various types of ocular injury presenting in a tertiary hospital in northern India.. Material & Methods: Hospital-based, retrospective study conducted over a period of one year. A total of 100 patients of ocular trauma were included. Results: Ocular injuries were more commonly seen in adult in age group 21-40 years (40 % ) patients who were involved in road side accident (42%). They were more common in male patients (64 % ). Closed globe injury (79 %) was more common than open globe injury (21 %) . 53 % of the patients had a visual acuity better than 6/60 at presentation; while after completed treatment at two months follow-up, 65 % had best corrected visual acuity better than 6/60. Conclusion: Blunt trauma following road side accident is most common cause of ocular injury in our population. The visual outcome depends upon the site and size of the injury and the extent of the ocular damage. Keywords: Ocular trauma, closed globe injury, open globe injury --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Date of Submission: 26-12-2018 Date of acceptance: 11-01-2019 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I. Introduction The eyeball is a fairly well protected structure in our body. The eye is protected from direct injury by the lids, eyelashes, and the protecting margins of the orbit. Physiologically, it is protected by the blink reflex, head turning reflex, and lacrimation which follows intrusion of any irritant material. Despite these protective mechanisms, injuries to the eye are commonly found. It can be open globe or closed globe injury. The effects of such injuries are much more severe than in any other part of the body because of the delicate nature of the ocular tissues resulting in permanent blindness. Ocular trauma is a major cause of worldwide visual impairment and morbidity. 1 In India, there are more than 50 million blind people and this number increases by about 3.8 million per year. Amongst the total number of blind cases 1.2 per cent is contributed by injuries which are preventable. 2 The aim of this study is to find out the types of ocular injuries in regional area , the extent of damage by these injuries and the visual outcome after treatment. Ocular injuries are more common in rural areas as people are illiterate and have poor socio-economic status. Apart from being involved in road side accidents, they are unaware of protective devices like goggles and protective shields. The type of injury is also different as the majority are related to agricultural work and animal handling. II. Material & Methods The study was a hospital-based, retrospective, observational study conducted over a one year period at a tertiary hospital in Punjab, India. Written informed consent was taken from all the study patients. 100 patients of ocular trauma were studied. Patients with ocular injuries, reporting to casualty and ophthalmology OPD were included in the study. Patients with thermal injuries, ultrasonic injuries and radiation injuries were not included in the study. A detailed history and ocular examination of each patient were recorded. The patients who required admission were admitted and appropriate treatment was given.Patients requiring vitreo-retinal opinion were referred to higher centre for management. The rest were managed on an out patient department (OPD) basis. Patients were followed up on an OPD basis one week after discharge, thereafter four weeks and eight weeks. During follow up, their visual acuity was recorded. Whenever required, refractive testing was done and glasses were prescribed.