Rate of eye injury in the United States.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a comprehensive estimate of the rate of eye injury in the United States.


METHODS
Data from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey, and the National Hospital Discharge Survey for 2001 were combined and used to provide estimates of eye injuries treated in emergency departments, inpatient and outpatient facilities, and private physicians' offices, as well as their causes and characteristics [corrected]


RESULTS
In the United States in 2001, an estimated 1 990 872 (6.98 per 1000 population) individuals experienced an eye injury requiring treatment in an emergency department, inpatient or outpatient facility, or private physician's office. Most eye injuries are treated in emergency departments (50.7%), followed by private physicians' offices (38.7%), and outpatient (8.1%) and inpatient (2.5%) facilities. Eye injury rates were highest among individuals in their 20s, males, and whites. Injury rates were highest for superficial injuries, foreign bodies, contusions, and open wounds.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides a comprehensive estimate of the rate of eye injury in the United States. Private physicians represent an important source of care for eye injury in the United States.
McGwin
Gerald
G
Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, 700 S. 18th Street, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. mcgwin@uab.edu
Xie
Aiyuan
A
Owsley
Cynthia
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044383:Black People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011331:Private Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001741:Black or African American