The spectrum and burden of ocular injury.
The authors conducted a hospital-based study to ascertain basic, descriptive epidemiologic information about ocular trauma in an urban setting. Over a 6-month period, 3184 patients presenting to our emergency ward with ocular trauma were studied. Severe injuries totaled 5.1% (ruptured globe, intraocular foreign body, hyphema, orbital/facial fracture) and 94.9% were superficial injuries and contusions. A disproportionate burden of severe ocular injury was borne by those less than 15 years of age. The work place accounted for 48% of all injuries and 50% of ruptured globes. Automobile repair-related tasks were specifically associated with injury. Sports injuries, although accounting for 3.4% of all injuries, were responsible for 60% of hyphemas and 10% of ruptured globes. Annual direct and indirect costs for these ocular injuries are estimated conservatively at $5 million and a loss of 60 work years. A large burden of preventable eye trauma is borne by both patients and society.
Schein
O D
OD
Eye Trauma Service, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston 02114.
Hibberd
P L
PL
Shingleton
B J
BJ
Kunzweiler
T
T
Frambach
D A
DA
Seddon
J M
JM
Fontan
N L
NL
Vinger
P F
PF
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D005129:Eye Foreign Bodies / Q000453:epidemiology; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006988:Hyphema / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology