Objective: To describe clinical data about ocular emergencies (OE) and their management.
Design: Descriptive study.
Place and duration of study: This study was conducted from 1st January, 2000 to 31st December, 2002 at the Department of Ophthalmology, Khyber institute of Ophthalmic Medical Sciences, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar.
Material and methods: A comprehensive analysis of the computer record available for admitted ocular emergencies was undertaken in terms of gender, age, etiology, procedure performed and hospital stay.
Results: Ocular emergencies (1961) were 18.49% of total admissions. Male to female ratio was 2:1. Non-traumatic ocular emergencies were 1058 (53.95%) with male to female ratio of 1.47:1. In the non-traumatic ocular emergencies, majority (67.2%) were 40 years or above. Traumatic ocular emergencies were 925 (47.16%) with male to female ratio of 2.77:1. Majority (83.78%) of traumatic ocular emergencies were below 40 years and 562 (60.75%) below 20 years of age. Only 150 (16.21%) cases were 40 years and above. Corneal ulcers (44.51%) and glaucoma (24.38%) were the most common non-traumatic ocular emergencies, whereas, open globe injuries (73.4%) were leading the traumatic ocular emergencies. Total surgical procedures performed were 1382 (13.7% of total major ophthalmic surgery). Average stay in hospital was 5.5 days.
Conclusion: Ocular emergencies predominantly affected the males in this series. Trauma related OE are almost as common as non-traumatic. Majority of OE need surgical intervention and the average hospital stay is longer than routine admissions.