Cost of treating preventable minor ocular injuries in Rijeka, Croatia.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the cost of medical services for the treatment of preventable minor ocular injuries in Rijeka, Croatia.


METHODS
We analyzed data on 3,755 outpatients (3,363 men and 392 women) treated for eye injuries at the Department of Ophthalmology, Rijeka University Hospital, from April 2002 to March 2003. Median age of patients was 37 years (range, 26-47 years). Data were collected with a questionnaire designed for the study, which included sociodemographic data, type of injury, time and place of injury, and preventability. We carried out cost analysis of the procedures and determined the length of hospital stay.


RESULTS
Out of 5,143 emergencies, minor eye injuries comprised 3,755 cases (73%). Minor injuries were potentially preventable in 90% of cases, as they resulted from nonuse or misuse of obligatory protection devices. Total one-year cost of preventable eye injuries was 135,529.55 Euros.


CONCLUSIONS
Preventable minor eye injuries in Rijeka, Croatia, cause a serious medical and economic burden. Stricter adherence to the use of protection devices should be promoted.
Loncarek
Karmen
K
Department of Ophtalmology, Rijeka University Hospital, Kresimirova 42, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia. karmen.loncarek@ri.tel.hr
Brajac
Ines
I
Filipović
Tatjana
T
Caljkusić-Mance
Tea
T
Stalekar
Hrvoje
H
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D017281:Cost of Illness; D017523:Croatia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000628:therapy; D005135:Eye Protective Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires