Construction-related eye injuries in Irish nationals and non-nationals: attitudes and strategies for prevention.
BACKGROUND
Construction-related ocular injuries are an important cause of vision loss but few studies on the incidence, epidemiology and nature of these injuries exist.


OBJECTIVE
Due to the perceived increase in occupation-related eye injuries in non-nationals we aimed to investigate the nature of such injuries presenting to a single eye unit over a two-month period.


METHODS
One hundred and fifty-five patients presenting to the accident and emergency department with construction related ocular injury were examined.


RESULTS
Of 155 patients, 80 were Irish and 75 nonnational, of whom 60, 21.3 and 6.7% were Polish, Lithuanian and Romanian, respectively. Common causative factors included hammering, grinding, drilling and splash injury. Average rate of eyewear protection usage was 35%, with attendance at safety courses highest in Irish nationals. A penetrating eye injury rate of 4.9% overall was observed, all in non-nationals.


CONCLUSIONS
Construction related ocular injury is a serious cause of visual loss in non-nationals. Greater adherence to safety regulations and training is required.
Connell
P P
PP
Royal Victoria Eye and Ear Hospital, Adelaide Road, Dublin 2, Ireland. drpaulconnell@gmail.com
Saddak
T
T
Harrison
I
I
Kelly
S
S
Bobart
A
A
McGettrick
P
P
Collum
L T M
LT
D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003252:Construction Materials / Q000633:toxicity*; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D005160:Facility Design and Construction; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007494:Ireland / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D016272:Occupational Health; D011446:Prospective Studies