Epidemiology of Ocular Emergencies among the Egyptian Population: A Five Year Retrospective Study

Aim: To study the pattern of ocular lesions attending the ophthalmic casualty room of the biggest referral hospital in Egypt over 5 years (2004-2008). Methods: This epidemiologic database study used medical records in Cairo University (Kasr El-Aini) Hospital. Data were recorded using the ICD10 classification and analyzed with SPSS17 software. Statistical analysis was based on diagnosis, age, sex, residential area and year of admission. Results: Superficial corneal foreign body (FB) was the commonest cause of attending the ophthalmic casualty room. Of the admitted cases, 89.6% suffered from true ocular emergency. Open globe injuries represented the most prevalent, 33.46% of emergencies. 69% emergencies were males. The most frequent lesions among males were open globe injuries, infective keratitis and lid injuries, and among females were open globe injuries, infective keratitis, endophthalmitis and glaucoma respectively. Patients from Upper Egypt represented 56.2% of emergencies. Age group from 6 to 16 years presented 24% of emergencies; those above 45 years presented 26.8% of emergencies. The most common lesions were open globe injuries below the age of 45 and infective keratitis above this age. Deep corneal foreign bodies were more common than intraocular foreign bodies. The most common ocular hemorrhage was hyphema. The most common type of glaucoma was acute angle-closure glaucoma. Conclusion: Corneal FBs, open globe injuries and infective keratitis represent the main ocular emergencies among Egyptian population. Upper Egypt represents the major referring geographic area (56.2%). Corneal FBs were almost occupational accidents among industrial and construction workers not wearing protective goggles. Open globe injuries were the main cause (33.46%) of admitted emergencies. Altercations (41.9%), occupational (26.3%) and motor vehicle accidents (24.4%) were the main circumstances in open globe injuries. The main admitted emergencies were open globe injuries below the age of 45 (36%) and infective keratitis above this age (34.4%).