Statistical Study of Eye Patients through The Emergency Room of a University Hospital (1981-1985)

This report is based on a statistical analysis of the 693 cases that had ophthalmological management among 40,242 patients who visited the emergency room of the EWHA woman's hospital from January 1981, to December 1985. The results were as follows: 1) The proportion of eye patients in emergency room was 1.75%(693 patients) of the total of 40, 242 patients. 2) Among the ocular patients, male patients were comprised 69.55%(428 patients), whereas female patients, 30.45%(211 patients). 3) In comparison with age group, ages between 21 and 30 were the largest group, consisting about 1/3 of the total patients.(38.83%)4) With respect to affected side, there was no significant difference between the right eye and the left eye in both sexes. 5) With regard to the seasonal distribution, the most patients were found in Autumn comprising 193 patients(27.85%), and Summer, Spring and Winter followed in order. Concerning monthly difference, the largest number of patients(85 patients, 12.27%) were occured in August and February, the least(37 patients, 5.34%). 6) Regarding daily difference, the most patients visited on Sundays(182 patients, 26.12%), while the least patients on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. 7) Of all ocular patients, the traumatic patients were 548 cases(79.08%), and non traumatic patients were 145 cases(20.92%). Among traumatic patients, 67 patients(9.67%) had eye ball perforations and 481 patients(69.41%), non-perforation injury. 8) In Eye ball perforation, 45patients of corneal laceration were most common, In non-perforated eye ball injuries, 145 patients had corneal foreign body which showed the largest number. Of non traumatic injuries, Epidemic and acute conjunctivitis occured in 120 patients was the largest group. 9) In view of the causes of the eye injuries, the most common cause was striking on the eye by the fist or kicking or heading incidents and then by glass pide or wood stick.