Abstract

P 290

Open globe injuries in east Slovenia

Katja Halozan, Dušica Pahor
Department of Ophthalmology, Clinical Centre Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia, Slowenien

Background and Purpose
The purpose of our study was to determine the epidemiological data of open globe injuries during a 10-year period in East Slovenia.
Methods
A retrospective analysis of all patients with open globe injuries, who admitted to our department from January 1999 to December 2008, was performed. The following data were analysed: demographic characteristics, type and mechanism of injury. Type of injury was classified according to the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology (BETT).
Results
Out of 158 patients (161 eyes) the majority of patients were men (85 %). The mean age of male patiens was 38 years with 45 % of injuries in the age interval between 30 and 50 years. Although the mean age of female patients was 54 years, 39% of them happened between 70 and 80 years. Most injuries occured during the colder part of the year from October to January. The most common place of injuries was home (66,5%), followed by work (20,5%), streets and highways (4,4%), sports and recreation (2%). The most common open globe injury was penetrating injury (78,8%), of which IOFB was present in 21,7%. Rupture of a globe occured in 20,5% and perforating injury in less than 1 %. Women were more likely to suffer from rupture of a globe (65,2%) while men from penetrating injury (62,3%). According to mechanism, in women the most common causes of injuries were falls (30%) and blunt objects (30%). In men the most common causes of injuries were sharp objects (56%), followed by blunt objects (22%) and metal or stone hammering (17%).
Conclusions
Studying the causes of injuries is important in terms of directing preventable measures, like use of eye protection and health education. The vast majority of eye injuries could be prevented.

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