Does occupation explain gender and other differences in work-related eye injury hospitalization rates?
OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine whether demographic differences in eye injury rates persist after adjusting for occupational exposure.


METHODS
On-duty eye injury hospitalizations were linked to occupation among active-duty US Army personnel.


RESULTS
Eye injury rates were higher for white soldiers, men, and for younger soldiers, even after adjusting for occupational group and specific job titles using multivariate models.


CONCLUSIONS
This finding contrasts with studies of other injuries, suggesting that occupation does not fully account for variations in eye injury risk. Because protective eye-wear can prevent most serious eye injuries, we hypothesize that differences in protective eye-wear use between men and women may contribute to differences in eye injury rates, although follow-up studies are needed to confirm this. Prevention efforts should consider targeting high-risk demographic groups in addition to high-risk occupations.
Smith
Gordon S
GS
Liberty Mutual Research Institute for Safety, Hopkinton, Massachusetts 01748, USA. gordon.smith@libertymutual.com
Lincoln
Andrew E
AE
Wong
Tien Y
TY
Bell
Nicole S
NS
Vinger
Paul F
PF
Amoroso
Paul J
PJ
Lombardi
David A
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008889:Military Personnel; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D009790:Occupations; D012737:Sex Factors