Ocular trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic era at an Indonesian tertiary care center: a retrospective cohort study

Introduction: Ocular trauma, a leading cause of preventable blindness worldwide, affects around 55 million people annually. Early primary repair is crucial for better visual outcomes, but limited access to expert ophthalmologists often leads to overcrowding in tertiary hospitals. Additionally, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has introduced unique dynamics to ocular trauma management. This study examined ocular trauma epidemiology during the pandemic and provided insights into unique challenges and patterns. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at the a tertiary care center in Indonesia, covering all ocular trauma patients from January 2021 to March 2022. Descriptive analysis was performed using SPSS IBM version 24.0 and Microsoft Excel 2019. Results: There were 13 subjects in this study, all were males with a mean age of 36 ± 4.3 years. Most of the patients came with eye pain and blurry vision, palpebral edema, mictal injection of conjunctiva, corneal and scleral laceration, difficulty to evaluate anterior chamber and lens, and no hyphema. Penetrating trauma, especially in Zone 1 with Ocular Trauma Score 2, was common, and suturing was the predominant treatment. The pandemic significantly reduced ocular trauma cases, likely due to healthcare capacity constraints and lockdown restrictions. This study highlights the secondary impact of COVID-19 on healthcare utilization. Conclusions: The study observes a decline in ocular trauma cases during the pandemic, emphasizing the importance of uninterrupted healthcare services, even amid crises. It provides valuable insights for future pandemic preparedness in the region.