Post-ocular trauma corneal staphyloma in a child living in an underdeveloped region of eastern Indonesia

Abstract

Ocular trauma occurring in children often leads to visual impairment or blindness when it is not properly managed. This often occurs in underdeveloped regions with difficult access to professional care at local health facilities. We report a case of post-trauma corneal staphyloma in an underdeveloped region of eastern Indonesia to illustrate the importance of proper management of ocular trauma in areas lacking such expertise and where patients have difficulty accessing even basic health care. During a community health outreach in Southwest Sumba, eastern Indonesia in May 2017, a 7-year-old boy presented with white protrusion of the left eye of 3 years' duration following an event of sharp trauma. The patient lived in an inaccessible and impoverished area. Upon contemporary examination, visual acuity of the left eye was 1/300 while that of the right eye was 6/6. Anterior examination revealed corneal staphyloma of the left eye, and its posterior segment could not be evaluated. The patient was transported to an eye care center in Jakarta, receiving a stock prosthesis implant while awaiting a corneal evisceration procedure with dermofat graft. Ocular trauma is one of the most common causes of visual impairment in children. This case illustrates the consequences of inadequate post-trauma management and the importance of prevention of infection.