Ophthalmic emergencies during the festive period in aqaba-uth jordan

Abstract EN

Objectives: A retrospective, hospital-based study was conducted in Princess Haya Military Hospital.

The aim was to evaluate the emergency eye cases during the feast vacation in Aqaba. Methods: We chose four feast vacations during the years 2001 and 2002, counting 20 days, and compared the emergency cases during these days with those seen on other randomly chosen 20 days during these two years.

The cause and type of ocular trauma were studied. Results: One hundred seventy nine cases were treated.

The traumatic to non-traumatic ratio was 4.3:1 and the traumatic cases had a pediatric to adult ratio of 1.8:1 vs.

1:3.9 in the non-traumatic cases.

Males were significantly more involved than females.

During the non-festive period, the total number of emergency cases was 56 cases; the traumatic to non-traumatic ratio was 1:1.3.

The traumatic pediatric to adult cases ratio was 1:1.7 vs.

1:1.5 in the non¬traumatic cases.

During the festive period the largest group was adult male traumatic cases.

The highest number of patients during the feast had corneal foreign body as a single problem.

The highest number of admissions was due to hyphema.

Children's toys were at the top of the list as a source of traumatic eye emergencies; and the most common traumatic toy was the air-powered gun. Conclusion: The emergency room and staff should be prepared for this increase in the number and the type of cases during the feast vacations.

Community education concerning prevention of domestic injuries is needed