Abstract
Purpose :
Mardi Gras represents a significant cultural phenomenon in the New Orleans metropolitan area, featuring large-scale celebrations which entail the mobilization of citywide healthcare resources. Following the recent consolidation of regional hospitals within the LCMC consortium, we sought to inform the allocation of ophthalmologic resources using clinical data accessible under a unified electronic medical record (EMR). The aim of this study was to determine the incidence and patterns of ophthalmic and/or ocular adnexal trauma during Mardi Gras celebrations in the city of New Orleans.
Methods :
Electronic records from 1289 patients across 6 LCMC network hospitals were reviewed for ophthalmic and/or oculoplastic traumatic diagnoses within the designated time period (7 days before and after Mardi Gras) from 2018-2023. Cases from the year 2021 were excluded due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and Hurricane Ida. All patients seen acutely in the emergency department and inpatient setting were eligible. Demographic data, ophthalmic and/or oculoplastic diagnoses, injury mechanisms, and emergent procedures were analyzed.
Results :
A total of 59 injuries among 47 patients (17.0% pediatric) were retrieved. The most frequent injuries were periocular lacerations (23.7%), corneal abrasions and/or foreign bodies (16.9%), orbital fractures (15.3%), and subconjunctival hemorrhages (15.3%). Posterior segment trauma was rare, consisting primarily of commotio retinae (5.1%) with no retinal breaks or detachments recorded in the cross-sectional cohort. The incidence of open globe injury was 1.7%. Projectiles (consisting of 47.7% beads and 19.0% coconuts) were the most common mechanism (44.7%), followed by assault (29.8%) and falls (17.0%). Alcohol intoxication was reported in 34.0% of adult patients.
Conclusions :
Based on this data, ophthalmologic resource allocation during Mardi Gras should prioritize oculoplastic (50.1%) and anterior segment (42.4%) blunt trauma injuries. Eye protection is strongly recommended (particularly in the pediatric subpopulation), given the 44.7% incidence of projectile-based trauma mostly stemming from parade "throws" (Figure 1). Alcohol consumption represents a significant risk factor in the adult population, and represents a target for intervention through public education.
This abstract was presented at the 2024 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Seattle, WA, May 5-9, 2024.