Eye injuries in childhood: a retrospective investigation of 88 cases from 1988 to 2000.

PURPOSE

To assess the frequency, causes, mechanisms, and functional outcomes of eye injuries in childhood.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of the hospital files of patients younger than 12 years admitted to the Institute of Ophthalmology of Verona University for eye injuries from January 1, 1988, to December 31, 2000.

RESULTS

Eighty-eight cases of eye injuries (69 [78%] boys, 19 [22%] girls) were identified. The mean age at admission was 7.2 years. The most frequent causes of eye injuries were domestic accidents in patients younger than 6 years (25%) and accidents at play in those older than 6 years (35%). Scissors were the most frequent causative agents in children under 6 and toys, stones, and ball injuries in those over 6. Diagnoses, therapies implemented, ocular complications, and outcomes are reported.

CONCLUSIONS

The major causes of eye injuries in childhood are preventable; thus more adequate adult supervision and educational and legislative measures are necessary and useful in order to reduce prevalence and morbidity of these accidents.