To Describe Clinical Profile of Medico-Legal Cases at Tertiary Hospital in Ahmedabad
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/ijfmt.v16i4.18515Keywords:
Forensic medicine, Medico-legal case, Ophthalmic MLC, Ocular traumaAbstract
Background: Ophthalmologists play an important role in the management and fixing of legal responsibility in
ocular medico legal cases (MLCs). All penetrating or non-penetrating intentional ocular trauma causing loss of an
organ or part of organ and which have as consequence the facial disfigurement or post trauma complication have
forensic implications.
Objective: To describe the clinical profile and meticulous documentation in ocular medico-legal cases attending
the ophthalmic unit at a tertiary care hospital in Ahmedabad.
Methods: Medical records of ocular MLC from May 2018 to November 2020 were considered. A total of 112 cases
of ocular injury constituted the sample size. The injuries were categorized as adnexal and globe injuries. The
clinical profile was recorded in the clinical record forms and analyzed accordingly.
Results: A total of 112 patients with ocular trauma were recruited with follow up to 6 months following
recruitment. The most affected age group was 26-40 years (25.89%). The most common mode of injury was assault
with fist in 22 (18.74) of cases. Most patients had open globe injury (28, 25%), while 20 (16.5%) had closed globe
injury, 38 (33.93%) had the adnexal injury, 7 (6.25%) had open plus adnexal, 7 (6.25%) had closed plus adnexal
and 12 (10.71%) had chemical injury. Adnexal injuries were the most common n=38 (33.93%). Lid / periorbital
contusion and subconjunctival hemorrhage were the most common presentations among adnexal and globe
injuries respectively. Malingering was present in 3 % (3). Furthermore, among the adult population, majority 28
(25%) had ocular injury at workplace, while most pediatrics injuries 23 (20.54) occurred at home during play. The
incidence of monocular blindness 2 (9%) was at 6 months follow up after the initial presentation. Factor that was
associated with monocular blindness was open globe injuries.
Conclusion: Fist injury was the most common cause of trauma to the eye. A substantial number of patients who
had adnexal injuries or subconjunctival hemorrhage had good vision, contrary to open globe injuries which
resulted in very poor vision.
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