Management of Ocular Trauma in Emergency Settings: Capacity Assessment in Cross River State

The capacity of emergency health facilities to manage acute ocular trauma determines whether patients sustain preventable vision loss before accessing ophthalmology specialist care. This study assesses the emergency management capacity for ocular trauma at general hospitals and emergency units in Cross River State, South South Nigeria. A cross-sectional facility assessment study will be conducted at 12 secondary health facilities across three senatorial zones of Cross River State. Structured checklists will evaluate the availability of essential ophthalmic emergency equipment including an eye tray with lid speculum and foreign body needles, eye shields, topical anaesthesia, antibiotic eye drops, irrigation fluids, and basic eye examination tools. Staff competency in managing common ocular trauma including chemical burns, foreign bodies, and blunt trauma will be assessed through scenario-based clinical vignette tests administered to emergency nurses and medical officers. Descriptive statistics will summarise facility capacity scores. Secondary health facilities in Cross River State serve as the first point of contact for the majority of ocular trauma patients, particularly in rural areas, yet equipment and training deficiencies are expected to be widespread. Findings will be shared with the Cross River State Ministry of Health and the State Emergency Medical Services Agency to guide targeted procurement and training. Recommendations will cover minimum ophthalmic emergency equipment standards for all secondary facilities, integration of ocular trauma management into emergency nursing curricula, and establishment of a 24-hour ophthalmology referral hotline. Keywords: ocular trauma, emergency management, facility capacity, Cross River State, ophthalmic emergency