Blindness ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Humans ; Smoking ; adverse effects ; Smoking Cessation

INTRODUCTIONThe purpose of this study was to characterise and describe the epidemiology of all eye injuries presenting to the National University Hospital (NUH).

MATERIALS AND METHODSA prospective study was conducted over a 7-week period (11/4/2005 to 29/5/2005) on all ophthalmic trauma patients seen by the Department of Ophthalmology in NUH. Data on patient presentation, source of injury and intervention were collected via a standardised interview and examination, and documented using a validated datasheet.

RESULTSA total of 133 patients, and 139 eyes, were included in the study. The average age was 33.5 years, with a range of 5 years to 88 years, and 84.2% (n = 112) were men. Close to half (46.6%, n = 62) of the patients studied were non-Singaporeans. 56.4% (n = 75) of all eye injuries were work-related and only 5% (n = 7) of eyes were open-globe injuries. Common sources of eye trauma included: Use of high-powered tools in activities such as grinding, welding and hammering (38.3%, n = 51), human-inflicted injuries (12.0%, n =16) and road traffic accidents (8.3%, n = 11). Of the work-related eye injuries, 29.3% (n = 22) reported to having used personal protective equipment (PPE) at the time of injury, 38.7% (n = 29) had been issued PPE but had not used them, while 32% (n = 24) reported that PPE had not been issued. An initial visual acuity of 6/12 or better was found in 63.0% (n = 88) of patients and a reading of 6/60 or worse was found in 10.0% (n =14). Superficial foreign bodies (22.4%, n = 55) were the most common clinical finding, followed by periorbital bruise (12.2%, n = 30), lid ecchymoses (6.9%, n = 17), orbital fractures (6.5%, n = 16), lid laceration (6.1%, n = 15) and corneal abrasions (5.7%, n = 14).

CONCLUSIONThere is a broad spectrum of causes, mechanisms and severity of ophthalmic injuries seen in the hospital, of which work-related trauma makes up a significant proportion. The patients who suffer occupational injuries are a well-defined group: Young, non-Singaporean males, working with power tools in the construction industry are at particular risk. Although preventive strategies are in place for this high-risk group, the lack of awareness and compliance limit their effectiveness. The adequacy and functionality of PPE should be emphasised. In addition, preventive efforts are equally important in domestic, recreational, sports and transport settings. Eye trauma research and prevention can be further aided by a collaborative registry of eye injuries. A long-term islandwide database of all ophthalmic injuries is recommended.

Accident Prevention ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Blindness ; epidemiology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Databases as Topic ; Eye Injuries ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Interviews as Topic ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Singapore ; epidemiology

INTRODUCTIONPerioperative glycaemic control is an important aspect of clinical management in diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery under local anaesthesia. While poor long-term glycaemic control has significant implications for surgery, perioperative hypoglycaemia or hyperglycaemia may also compromise patient safety and surgical outcomes. We aimed to survey ophthalmologists and anaesthesiologists on their approach and to identify the prevalent practice patterns in Singapore.

METHODSThis was a cross-sectional questionnaire-based survey conducted in four public hospitals in Singapore with established ophthalmology and anaesthesia units. Respondents were approached individually, and the self-administered questionnaires comprised questions related to practice patterns, clinical scenarios and awareness of pre-existing guidelines.

RESULTSA total of 129 doctors responded to the questionnaire survey. 76 (58.9%) were from ophthalmology departments and 53 (41.1%) were from anaesthesia departments. The majority chose to withhold oral hypoglycaemic agents (82.9%) and/or insulin (69.8%), and keep the patient fasted preoperatively. A blood glucose level ≥ 17 mmol/L prompted 86.0%-93.8% of respondents to adopt a treat-and-defer strategy, while a level ≥ 23 mmol/L prompted 86.0%-96.9% of respondents to cancel the cataract surgery. The respondents were consistently more concerned about perioperative hyperglycaemia (n = 99, 76.7%) than intraoperative hypoglycaemia (n = 83, 64.3%).

CONCLUSIONThe current study presented the prevalent practice patterns of ophthalmologists and anaesthesiologists in the perioperative management of diabetic patients undergoing cataract surgery in four public hospitals in Singapore. Further research in this field is required, and may be useful for the future formulation of formal guidelines and protocols.

Adult ; Anesthesia, Local ; methods ; Anesthesiologists ; statistics & numerical data ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Cataract Extraction ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diabetes Mellitus ; blood ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ophthalmologists ; statistics & numerical data ; Perioperative Care ; methods ; Singapore ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires