[The problem of oculo-orbital trauma due to motor vehicle accidents involving commercial motorbikes in Douala, Cameroon].

UNLABELLED: A prospective and longitudinal study was carried from January 2 to December 31, 2013 in which victims of commercial motor bike accidents presenting to the Laquintinie Hospital in Douala were examined in search of oculo-orbital injuries with the double goal of identifying and evaluating the physical impact of the observed oculo-orbital lesions.

RESULTS: We included 88 cases with oculo-orbital trauma due to commercial motor bike accident. There were 71 males (80.7%) and 17 females (19.3%). The mean age was 32.8±10.6 years. Collision between two motorbikes was the most frequent mechanism and accounted for 42% of cases of oculo-orbital trauma (n=37). None of the 81 patients on a motor bike reported wearing a helmet at the time of the accident (7 pedestrians were victims). Injuries of the globe were present in 16.5% of eyes (n=29); while orbital injuries were present in 22% of eyes (n=39). The most frequent orbital injury was orbital wall fracture, occurring in 31 eyes (17.6%). Lesions of the eyelids were found in 50 cases (28.4%). ENT lesions were associated in 27 cases (30.7%), cranial trauma in 3 cases (3.4%). Orbital dystopia, oculomotor palsy, ptosis, ectropion and unilateral blindness (rate of 9%) were sequelae recorded after six months of follow-up.

CONCLUSION: The existing rules and regulations on driving licenses, vehicle code and compulsory use of helmets in the area of commercial motorbike activity should be strictly applied in Douala to avoid these preventable oculo-orbital trauma which lead to unsightly scars and blindness.