Pattern of Ocular and Adnexal Injuries in a Nigerian Tertiar y Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Eye injuries are defined as damage to the eyeball, its adnexae, orbital and periorbital tissues, due to the transfer of energy of a greater magnitude than the tissues can withstand.¹ The type of injury and amount of damage sustained are dependent on the mechanism and force of the injury². Ocular and adnexal injuries are common indications for the use of ophthalmic services3. It has been implicated as the highest cause of monocular blindness in the world ¹ . Nwosu ⁴ reported that ocular and adnexal injuries were the third most common cause of uni-ocular blindness while 64.6% of the ophthalmic emergencies presenting in an eye hospital was as a result of trauma⁵. Ocular and adnexal injuries contribute significantly to ocular morbidity and are of public health importance ^2,6. The information on the pattern of ocular and adnexal injuries will create more means of preventing and managing these injuries.