Nosological structure of ophthalmic emergencies in on-call ophthalmologist visits: a retrospective study

Abstract

Objectives. A retrospective analysis of the nosological structure of ophthalmic emergencies based on on-call ophthalmologist reports in 2021.Materials and methods. A total of 400 people admitted to the emergency room of Territorial Clinical Hospital No. 2 were selected. Data were analysed with MS Excel using descriptive statistics; the results displayed in charts, as well as absolute numbers and the percentage of total cases.Results. On average, over 10,000 patients with various injuries of the eyeball and adnexa visit the emergency room every year. The patient mean age was 37.4 ± 10.7 years. Unemployed persons or those without formal employment predominated. The injuries were mostly domestic accident. The commonest diagnosis was corneal foreign body (53.5%).Conclusions. Foreign body was established as the main ocular surface injury (64.75%). Corneal erosions rank second after foreign bodies. Penetrating wounds account for 2.5% cases, comprising the cause of visual impairments as severe as blindness. Preventive measures should be planned and implemented based on the nosological structure identified.