title: Ocular trauma epidemiology: 10-year retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study is performed to determine the epidemiology and incidence of ocular trauma in Waikato, New Zealand.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data was analysed on age, sex, ethnicity and type of trauma. Visual acuity (VA) at presentation and discharge was recorded. Details of slit lamp examination were noted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were a total of 821 injuries. Men had higher rate of ocular trauma than women (74% vs 26%, p<0.001). Mean age was 31 years for males and 37 years for females respectively. Highest number of ocular trauma was seen in age group 15-20 (11.5%). There were 253 open globe injuries (OGI) and 568 closed globe injuries (CGI) (p<0.001). The most frequent causes of eye injuries in men were related to outdoor activities (25.9%) and work (20.7%). In women, outdoor activity was also the highest cause (10%). The annual rate of ocular trauma was 20.5 per 100,000 populations. Final VA of greater than and equal to 6/12 was found in 590 eyes, 6/12-6/60 in 143 eyes and greater than and equal to 6/60 in 88 eyes. Primary or secondary vitreoretinal procedures were performed in 54 eyes. There were three cases (0.3%) of endophthalmitis (inflammation of the internal coats of the eye).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides insight into epidemiology of ocular trauma in Waikato, New Zealand.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Waikato Hospital, Hamilton. panditaarchana@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Archana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pandita
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Merriman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009520:New Zealand / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity