title: Population-based study of self-reported ocular trauma in Fiji.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To characterize causes, risk factors and outcomes for ocular trauma among adults aged ≥40 years in Fiji.
  
  
  METHODS
  Population-based cross-sectional survey; multistage cluster random sampling.
  
  
  METHODS
  1381 (= 73.0% participation); eight provinces on Viti Levu.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interview-based questionnaire. Visual acuity measurement. Dilated ocular examination.
  
  
  METHODS
  Circumstances, management and consequences of self-reported ocular trauma.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of participants, 20.6% recalled ocular trauma: being Melanesian (P < 0.001) and male (P < 0.001) were predictive. Age at injury was ≤15 years for 13.0%: 78.4% occurred at home; 72.4% caused by sharp objects. For injury at >15 years: 38.5% occurred inside the home, most by sharp objects (51.6%) and domestic violence (28.4%); agricultural activities caused 20.6% of injuries; non-agricultural workplace incidents caused 16.2%, with chemicals responsible for 27.5% of these; public alcohol consumption was associated with 13.8% of injuries, mostly by assault (91.2%). Conventional medical services were the primary source of care for 47.2% of injured participants: 61.9% attended on injury day. For trauma: sample prevalence of vision impairment in at least one eye was 1.7% (95% confidence interval 1.1-2.4%), and 0.1% (95% confidence interval 0.02-0.5) for bilateral blindness. Injury at ≤15 years (P = 0.008) and at the workplace (P = 0.044) were predictive of ongoing vision impairment. Of visually impaired eyes, 36% had corneal opacity that may have been caused by relatively minor trauma.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ophthalmic service strengthening (including minor corneal trauma management) and specific injury prevention strategies (including behaviour change education and advocacy for legislation) are required to decrease the ocular trauma burden in Fiji.
authors.affiliation: The Fred Hollows Foundation, New Zealand. grbrian@tpg.com.au
authors.forename: Garry
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Brian
authors.forename: Renee
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: du Toit
authors.forename: Jacqueline
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ramke
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Szetu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005367:Fiji / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D012307:Risk Factors; D012424:Rural Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D057566:Self Report; D017678:Sex Distribution; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D019987:Persons with Visual Disabilities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data