Background: Agartala is one of the fastest growing cities in India. With rapid increase in the number of bikes and other motor vehicles, road traffic accidents (RTA) are also increasing sharply. Ocular trauma and resultant ophthalmic morbidities following RTA is common.
Aims & Objective: To study the epidemiology and pattern of ocular trauma among the road traffic accident cases.
Materials and Methods: A hospital based study was conducted during February to July 2013 among 700 road traffic cases attending Ophthalmology and Casualty Department of Agartala Govt. Medical College, Tripura. Descriptive statistics and chi square test were used for presenting data.
Results: Out of 700 RTA patients 82.86% (580) were male and 17.14% (120) were female. Majority i.e. 76% (532) of the RTA cases occurred among the two- wheeler users, 42 (35.29 %) were drunk and 17% (119) of the RTA cased sustained ocular injuries. Among the ocular injury cases, 60% (72) suffered from ecchymosis. Out of 119 RTAs with ocular injuries, 22 (18.48%) had no PL at reporting due to due to ocular nerve injury and all of them failed to recover even after treatment.
Conclusion: Two-wheeler accident is common and an important cause for loss of vision following RTA. Victims of RTA reporting with loss of vision due to optic nerve injury had poor visual prognosis. Hence, primary preventive approach through behaviour change communication among the bikers for promoting safe riding practices and strict implementation of traffic rules like riding at safe speed, wearing helmet and avoiding alcohol before driving are needed to prevent RTA associated blindness.
Key words: Blindness, Road traffic accident, Ocular trauma, Optic nerve injury.
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