Animal-inflicted ocular adnexal trauma at tertiary eye center: A cross-sectional study

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the profile of ocular adnexal trauma caused by animals at a tertiary eye care center. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis of all ocular adnexal traumas due to animals was observed from January 1, 2018, to March 2023. Parameters included demographics, duration of presentation, nature, and place of injury, eye protection, periocular trauma types and ocular findings, management, and final visual potential. Results: A retrospective review of 813 ocular adnexal traumas was done; the mean age was 34.39 years (range: 2 months–80 years). The right eye was involved in 20 (50%), of which lacrimal drainage and palpebral injury occurred in 16 patients and extraocular movement restriction and palpebral injury in 4 patients, one of whom had associated orbital injury. The left eye involved in 50% (20/40) of cases with palpebral injury in 30% (6/20), extraocular movement and palpebral injury in 15% (3/20), in which one had associated orbital injury, lacrimal drainage, and palpebral injury in 45% (9/20), of which two had associated orbital injury and two extraocular movement restriction, 5% (1/20) had extraocular movement restriction with orbital injury, and 5% (1/20) had lacrimal drainage, palpebral, orbital injury and extraocular movement restriction. There was no globe injury in 24 (60%) patients, 9 (22.5%) patients had open globe injury, and 7 (17.5%) patients had closed globe injury. The place of injury was domestic in 95% and road traffic accident in 5% of cases. The nature of injury was accidental in all cases (100%), with the majority caused by cows (37.5%) and bulls (17.5%), followed by buffaloes, jackals, dogs, cats, monkeys, goats, and hens. Conclusion: Animal-inflicted trauma is underreported, and more awareness should be raised as a public health risk.