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Epidemiology, aetiology and outcomes of paediatric ocular trauma: a population-level study in Northern Ireland

Eye (2026)Cite this article

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Abstract

Background and objectives

Ocular trauma is a major cause of blindness. The objectives of this study were to report epidemiology, aetiology, visual outcomes, and interactions with ophthalmology services of paediatric ocular trauma patients.

Methods

A retrospective review of consecutive paediatric ocular trauma presentations between 01 January 2017 and 31 December 2019, within the Belfast Trust. Patients were younger than 16 years old at presentation.

Results

In total, 535 paediatric ocular trauma patients are reported. Epidemiology—Median age was 8.18 years old, with 63.8% of patients being male. Incidence was 0.45 cases per 1000 children aged 0–15, per year. Areas were ranked according to deprivation measures, incidence ranged from 0.43 in the 2nd quintile to 0.64 in the quintile with lowest deprivation measures. Aetiology—Blunt (n = 277, 52%), chemical (n = 96, 18%), sharp (n = 87, 16%), and laser injuries (n = 27, 5%) were the most common mechanisms. There were 2 open globe injuries reported (1.7 per 1,000,000 children aged 0–15, per year). Visual outcomes—Visual acuity at presentation was available for 408 eyes (72%), with 174 (43%) achieving 6/6 or better and 338 (83%) 6/12 or better. 6 eyes (3%) presented with vision worse than 6/60; three improved to better than 6/12 at follow-up, and two remained worse than 6/60. Ophthalmology services—16 patients (3.0%) were admitted.

Conclusions

Paediatric ocular trauma occurs most commonly in males, in the home setting, with a blunt injury mechanism. Chemical and laser eye mechanisms contribute a significant proportion of presentations.

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Data availability

The datasets generated and analysed during the current study are not publicly available, but are available from the corresponding author on reasonable scientific request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland

    Michael Marshall, Mohammad Anwar, Tim Patterson, Eibhlin McLoone & Clare Shute

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, Northern Ireland

    Michael Marshall

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  1. Michael Marshall
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  2. Mohammad Anwar
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  3. Tim Patterson
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  4. Eibhlin McLoone
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  5. Clare Shute
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Contributions

EML, CS, and MM were involved with study inception and data collection. All authors were involved with methodology. TP, MM, and MA were involved with data analysis, all authors were involved in data interpretation and drafting the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Michael Marshall.

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Marshall, M., Anwar, M., Patterson, T. et al. Epidemiology, aetiology and outcomes of paediatric ocular trauma: a population-level study in Northern Ireland. Eye (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41433-026-04406-3

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