Journal article
Ocular Trauma resulting in significant vision loss in the indigenous vs. non indigenous population in the Top End: A retrospective Case Series
Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology, Vol.45
2017
Abstract
Purpose: The Royal Darwin Hospital (RDH) is a tertiary referral centre in the Northern Territory. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (ATSI) make up 26.3% of patients. Our aim was to compare the incidence of ocular trauma in ATSI vs non-ATSI patients. Secondary outcomes included 1) mechanism of injury 2) involvement of alcohol, and 3) degree of acute vision loss.
Methods: A retrospective review of ocular trauma patients between January 2013 and June 2015 was performed. All ocular trauma was included except orbital contusions and simple, non penetrating corneal foreign bodies. Vision loss was defined by visual acuity: Mild ≥6/18, Moderate 6/18- 6/60 and severe ≤6/60.
Results: 104 patients were included (n=69 males). 41% (n=43) identified as ATSI, which is significantly higher than the proportion of ATSI in the Top End (26%, p <0.001). Alleged assault was the greatest contributor to trauma in both groups, with a higher proportion of ATSI presenting with alleged assault than non-ATSI (76% vs 39%). There was no significant difference between alcohol involvement. Overall, most patients presented with no/mild visual loss (n=57, 55%), There was a higher number of ATSI vs non-ATSI with severe vision loss (n=12, 28% vs n=10,10%).
Conclusion: The ATSI patient group was found to be disproportionately affected by ocular trauma compared to non-ATSI. A higher percentage of these resulted in severe acute vision loss. This research provides important baseline epidemiological data on ocular trauma in the Northern Territory to assist with developing strategies for prevention of significant vision loss in this unique population.
Details
- Title
- Ocular Trauma resulting in significant vision loss in the indigenous vs. non indigenous population in the Top End: A retrospective Case Series
- Authors/Creators
- M. Kennedy (Author/Creator)J. Robinson (Author/Creator)E. Whist (Author/Creator)T. Mahendrarajah (Author/Creator)
- Publication Details
- Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology, Vol.45
- Publisher
- Wiley
- Identifiers
- 991005544552207891
- Copyright
- © 2017 Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Opthalmologists.
- Murdoch Affiliation
- Murdoch University
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Additional Information
- Poster Abstract. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Ophthalmologists, 49th Annual Scientific Congress, Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, Perth, 28 October – 1 November 2017
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