title: The epidemiology of chemical eye exposures reported to the Victorian Poisons Information Centre.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to determine the epidemiology of chemical eye exposures reported to the Victorian Poisons Information Centre, Australia.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a prospective case series comprising consecutive calls to the Victorian Poisons Information Centre that related to chemical eye exposures (January 2009-2010). Data included patient demographics, place and cause of exposure, nature of the chemical, symptoms and advice given. Patients were telephoned 48 h later to determine the outcome and whether the advice had been taken.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One thousand four hundred and eighty patients were enroled (45.7%, aged <16 years) with 937 (63.3%) followed up. Cleaning agents (32.6%), topical personal products (25.4%), industrial agents (11.8%), herbicides/pesticides (5.7%), petroleum products (4.2%) and miscellaneous agents (20.3%) comprised the exposure groups. Men were exposed to significantly more industrial agents (74.8 vs. 25.2%) and fewer topical personal agents (31.3 vs. 68.7%) than women, (P<0.001). Children were exposed to significantly more topical personal agents (65.2 vs. 34.8%) and fewer industrial agents (28.7 vs. 71.3%) than adults (P<0.001). The median time between exposure and the call for advice was significantly shorter for children (P<0.001). Eight hundred and ten (54.7%) patients were advised that medical care was not required. The remainder were advised to seek care or were already receiving care. At follow-up, only 63 (6.7%) patients were symptomatic. Eight hundred and fifty patients (90.8%) had complied with the advice given. There were no compliance differences between men/women and children/adults (P>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most exposures are of little consequence. However, there are clear epidemiological differences between sex and age groups. These findings will help inform prevention strategies.
authors: Emergency Department, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria 3084, Australia.
authors: Loren M
authors: LM
authors: Sher
authors: David McD
authors: DM
authors: Taylor
authors: Jeff
authors: J
authors: Robinson
authors: Janet
authors: J
authors: Browning
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Colbridge
authors: Dawson
authors: D
authors: Macleod
authors: Hamish
authors: H
authors: McCracken
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: McKenzie
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D004630:Emergencies; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006795:Household Products / Q000145:classification / Q000506:poisoning*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010575:Pesticides / Q000145:classification / Q000506:poisoning*; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000145:classification; D011039:Poison Control Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011041:Poisoning / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D007507:Therapeutic Irrigation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D010575:Pesticides; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations