Abstract

• Aim: To investigate the conditions of traumatic visual loss of inpatients in Yazd, Iran from 2005 to 2006, and to explore the possible causes and preventive methods. • Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data on all patients with eye injuries (70 cases) hospitalized at Shahid Sadoughi Hospital between August 2005 and August 2006, including age, gender, causes, type of injury, time of initial treatment, visual acuity during admission and discharge, surgical procedures, and final outcome. Furthermore, standardized international classification of ocular trauma (Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology) was used for eye injury categorization. • Results: A total of 70 inpatients with ocular injuries were selected by simple approach. The male/female ratio was 2.8 to 1. The most frequent causes of eye injury were metallic objects (34.3) especially in age group of ≤10 and ≥30 years old, accidents (22.8) and assaults (17.2). Waiting time to initial treatment was 6-24 hours in most cases (51.4). Trauma was blunt in 38.6 and penetrating in 61.4. The most and the least final visual acuity in blunt and penetrating trauma was LP (51.8, 41.8) and HM (7.5 , 4.7) respectively. Surgery outcome was globe saving with acceptable visual acuity in 72.9 and enucleation in 24.2. • Conclusion: With regard to the high incidence of ocular trauma and consequent severe visual loss, parents' attention, eye safety protection and early treatment should be considered as final preserving globe in most accidents.