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Abstract
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IMPORTANCE: Epidemiological data on visually significant ocular trauma in the Top End of the Northern Territory.
BACKGROUND: Our main objective is to determine whether Indigenous patients are disproportionately affected by visually significant ocular trauma as compared to non-Indigenous patients.
DESIGN: This was a retrospective audit at the Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) in the Top End of the Northern Territory during January 2013 - June 2015. PARTICIPANTS: 104 ocular trauma patients were included. 43 were Indigenous and 61 were non-Indigenous METHODS: Medical records of patients with ocular trauma between Jan 2013 - June 2015 (except simple, non-penetrating corneal foreign bodies and abrasions) were reviewed. Vision loss was defined by visual acuity: mild ≥6/18, moderate 6/18- 6/60, severe ≤6/60 following WHO standards. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Included the incidence of ocular trauma patients by ethnicity (Indigenous vs non-Indigenous). Our secondary outcome included vision loss, mechanism of injury, open vs closed injury, age, remoteness, and alcohol involvement RESULTS: 104 patient charts reviewed. 43 (41%) were Indigenous and 61 (59% were non-Indigenous). Alleged assault was the greatest contributor to ocular trauma in both groups (74% in Indigenous vs 39% non- Indigenous). Severe vision loss was more prevalent in the Indigenous vs non-Indigenous patients (30% vs 16%).
CONCLUSION AND RELEVANCE: Indigenous patients were disproportionately affected by visually significant ocular trauma compared to non-Indigenous patients. This research provides important data on ocular trauma in the Northern Territory. Further prevention strategies are needed to reduce vision loss in this population.
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Language: en |