# Clinical and visual profile of ocular trauma in rural India: A cross-sectional descriptive study

## TL;DR

This study describes the clinical and visual characteristics of eye injuries in rural India and highlights the importance of first-aid and education in reducing blindness.

## Contribution

The study provides insights into ocular trauma patterns in rural India and emphasizes community-based interventions to prevent blindness.

## Key findings

- Agriculture-related hazards and delayed care contribute to eye injuries in rural India.
- Community first-aid and education reduce blindness from eye injuries.
- BETT and OTS frameworks were used to assess clinical and visual outcomes.

## Abstract

Rural Indian communities are particularly vulnerable owing to agriculture-related hazards, delayed access to care, and limited
eye-health literacy. Consecutive patients presenting with fresh or previously untreated mechanical ocular injury were enrolled. Clinical
findings and initial/un-corrected visual acuity (VA) were recorded using the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology (BETT) and Ocular Trauma
Score (OTS) frameworks. Community-level first-aid, rapid referral pathways and protective-eye-wear education substantially reduce
blindness from eye injuries in rural settings.