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Objective: This study was conducted to find out the pattern of injuries to the eye in a semi urban region.
Method: All patients with injuries to the eye were studied prospectively at OAUTHC, Ile-Ife over a one year period between May 1999 and 30th April 2000.
Result: Injuries occurred in 213 eyes of 201 patients. Most injuries occurred in the third decade of life, and more frequently in males. Male to female ratio was 2:1.
Blunt eye injuries (36.8%) and superficial foreign bodies (28.9%) formed the majority of injuries.
The causative agents were mostly projectiles (55.3%), i.e., missiles and other flying objects, and blunt objects (18.9%). Most injuries occurred during traffic activities. Sports and industrial accidents were rare. Visual prognosis was better in blunt injuries with 47.6% regaining visual acuity of 6/12 or better compared with 10% in perforating injuries.
Conclusion: This study reflects the effect of location, social habits, and prevailing circumstances such as communal clashes on the occurrence of ocular injuries in all age groups. There is need to educate people at all levels on the predisposing factors / habits, causes and prevention of injuries to the eye.
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