Urban eye trauma. A one-year prospective study.
OBJECTIVE
The authors conducted a 1-year prospective study investigating the demographics, causation, and treatment of eye trauma in an urban population at one medical center.


METHODS
All patients sustaining eye injuries who were evaluated by the ophthalmology service over a 1-year interval were included. A formal questionnaire was completed with demographic data and details of the injury being obtained. An ophthalmologic examination was performed on each patient, and examination findings, diagnostic tests obtained, diagnosis, and treatment were recorded and analyzed.


RESULTS
This study included 584 eye injuries. Three hundred seventy-one injuries (70%) occurred in males and 159 (30%) in females. The average age was 30.5 years; 110 (21%) patients were pediatric. Sixty-two percent of all patients presented within 24 hours of their injury. Thirty-seven percent of all injuries occurred in the street, 31% at home, and only 13% at the workplace. For those older than 65 years of age, 48% of injuries were the result of a fall. Sixty percent of all eye injuries were caused by blunt trauma. Only 42 (8%) patients wore eye wear at the time of their injury. Diagnoses and management were recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
The inner city population is more likely to sustain eye trauma as the result of an assault and is less likely to be involved in a work- or sports-related injury. Given poor compliance with outpatient management and follow-up, aggressive primary management may be indicated to optimize visual outcome.
Department of Ophthalmology, Bronx-Lebanon Hospital Center, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, NY 10467.
B M
BM
Zagelbaum
J R
JR
Tostanoski
D J
DJ
Kerner
P S
PS
Hersh
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003710:Demography; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009519:New York City / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014505:Urban Population