Non-penetrating Eye Injuries in Victims of Bomb Blasts and Mine Blasts

Abstract

Purpose: To study the type of non-penetrating eye injuries in victims of bomb blasts and mine blasts and to assess their visual outcome.

Material and Methods: The study was conducted at the Department of Ophthalmology, Khyber Teaching Hospital and Iqbal Eye clinic Peshawar, from March 2010 to February 2012. Detailed history was taken from all patients and complete ocular examination was done. In eyes with poor or no view of fundus a B-scan ultrasonography was done. Management and follow up varied according to the type and extent of eye injury. All the relevant data was recorded on a proforma.

Results: Total number of patients was 52, including 50 males (96.15%) and 02 female (03.84%). Mean age of patients was 24.12 years. Ocular injury was unilateral in 36 patients (69.23%) and bilateral in 16 eyes (30.76%). Vitreous hemorrhage was the most common ocular finding, seen in 21 eyes (30.88%). Conservative management was done in 57 eyes (83.82%), while 11 eyes (16.17%) required surgical intervention. Visual acuity improved in 49 eyes (72.05%) and remained unchanged in 19 eyes (27.94%). Final best corrected visual acuity was 6/12 or better in 40 eyes (58.82%).

Conclusion: Visual prognosis of non-penetrating eye injuries in blast victims is usually good. Most cases do not require surgical intervention and can be managed conservatively.