Citation

Akinsola FB, Akinbami OA, Aribaba OT, Onakoya AO, Adefule-Ositelu AO. Nig. Q. J. Hosp. Med. 2007; 17(2): 90-92.

Affiliation

Department of Surgery, Ophthalmology Unit, College of Medicine/Lagos University Teaching Hospital, P.M.B. 12003 Lagos.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, Lagos University Medical Society)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

18318101

Abstract

AIM: To determine the commonest type of ocular emergencies seen at L.U.T.H. over a period of one year. METHODOLOGY: Data of all consecutive patients seen as emergencies within the designated period was taken. These included age, sex, symptoms, signs, agents of injury, duration and the complications. RESULTS: A total of 304 patients were seen. 207 (68.0%) of them were males, while 97 (32.0%) of them were females giving a ratio of 2.1:1. Out of the total number, 159 (52.3%) had non-injurious emergencies. Of the 145 (47.7%) injurious emergencies, blunt trauma was the commonest with 77 patients (25.3%). Penetrating trauma was next in frequency with 37 patients (12.2%) as compared to blunt injury with 77 patients. Foreign body injuries were seen in 18 patients (5.9%), followed by chemical injuries which constituted the least with 13 patients (4.3%). CONCLUSION: Majority of the ocular emergencies seen were due to non-injurious type, while blunt trauma was the commonest of the injurious type. RECOMMENDATION: Health education and awareness creation should be intensified on the various causes of the ocular emergencies, more importantly on the non-injurious causes to prevent the resultant ocular morbidity.

Language: en