Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan (https://rmur.edu.pk/)
Abstract
Background: To determine pattern of ocular injuriessustained during earthquake that hit north of Pakistan inOct. 2005.Methods: It was a case-control study which included,all thirty-one patients who presented to or were referredto the eye departments of Rawalpindi General Hospitaland Holy Family Hospital (both tertiary care teachinghospitals attached to Rawalpindi Medical College). Theinjuries and their management were documented andanalyzed.Results: Ocular injuries were 0.19% of the total patientsreceived at these hospitals. Females were twice moreaffected than males. Children and young adults weremore affected. Most of the patients were residents ofMuzaffarabad. Most common presenting complaint wasesotropia resulting from cranial nerve palsies followed bylacerations of periorbital skin, fractures of orbital andfacial bones and the base of skull and ocular penetratinginjuries. Associated injuries were cranial nerve palsies,fractures orbit, facial bones and base of skull. Head injurywas common among one third of them. Most commondiagnosis was multiple cranial nerve injuries followed byisolated 6th nerve palsy.Conclusion: Pattern of ocular injuries sustainedduring earthquake is quite different from injuries incurredfrom other sources of trauma
