Purpose
Ophthalmological emergencies are common. Actually, access to care is difficult because of the low medical demography. The Department of Ophthalmology (Nancy, University Hospital, France) created a unit devoted to emergency in 2012.
Methods
We conducted a cross sectional study to describe this activity. All consecutive patients seen in the unit were included from February to April 2012 and from October to December 2014.<br /> We used a standardized evaluation (age, sex, access to care, geographic origin, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, patient outcome). Every physician considered the real nature of the emergency.
Results
1496 patients were included during the first period (series 1) and 1116 during the second (series 2). The most common patient was a 45 years old man (55.3% and 56.3%). Many patients came by themselves without medical advice (40.1% and 58.4%). Principal symptoms were redness (31.5% and 24.8%), pain (28.5% and 25.0%), visual loss (22.6% and 17.7%), and irritation (20.6% and 17.8%). Traumatic context was frequent (about 25.0% of patients).The most prevalent diagnosis concerned the cornea. Serious infectious condition and vascular diseases were rare. 5.0% of patients were hospitalized and 6.0% received surgical treatment. 62.7% of them benefited only one consultation in emergency. They did not need another clinical control. 62.1% to 63.1% of consultations were qualified as real emergency.
Conclusions
Actually, the management of ophthalmic emergencies is a real public health problem. It is important to train emergency physicians and general practitioners, to address wisely to the specialist. Structures such as our unit seem to be an effective way to access care.