Abstract

Purpose:To assess prevalence of ocular trauma&extent of visual loss in geriatric patients at tertiary
care eye hospital in South India.
Materials&Methods:cross-sectional study was conducted on patients aged >60 yrs, of both
genders,who presented to ophthalmology OPD of tertiary care eye hospital,with history of ocular
trauma.Study period-3months.Patients underwent detailed interview& standardized
ocular evaluation.Eye was considered blind due to trauma if BCVA for distance
was <3/60 due to trauma.Patients with preexisting low vision in affected eye were excluded.Results:Of 50 patients, 30 patients(60%)gave history of self-inflicted injury.28
patients(56%)had blunt trauma to eye,rest had penetrating injury.42 patients(84%)belonged
to lower socioeconomic status;38 patients(76%)were males,rest females.24 patients(48%)had acute onset of presentation (<24hrs). Conclusion:Ocular trauma in geriatric
population is being increasingly recognized as significant public health problem worldwide.