Farm-related ocular trauma in Makurdi, Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Benue State, Nigeria, is largely an agrarian community. Farm related ocular injuries abound in this environment. Approximately two-third of all patients presenting to the eye casualty department do so because of ocular trauma sustained on the farm. This study aims to study the pattern and burden of farm related ocular injuries and its consequences and institute appropriate measures that will minimize visual loss from such injuries. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 1560 patients' record treated for ocular injuries between June 2000 and May 2005. The biodata extracted for each patient included age, sex, occupation, cause of injury, ongoing activities at time of injuries, severity of injury, time interval before presentation and entry and exit visual acuity. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Result showed that of the 1560 patients' record audited, 1113 (71%) were male and 447 (29%) female. Their age ranged between 2 and 75 years with peak age incidence in the 2nd and 3rd decades. More than two-third of all ocular injuries were sustained in the farm environment with spear-grass corneal abrasion being the most common lesion. Only 25% presented for attention on the day of injury. On presentation, 55% presented with visual impairment, 15% presented blind in the affected eye. Closed eye injuries were more common than open eye injuries with the former having better prognosis. Language: en