title: Work- and non-work-related eye injuries in a highly industrialized area in northern Italy: comparison between two three-year periods (1994-1996 and 2005-2007).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ocular trauma is a major cause of monocular blindness and visual impairment in industrialized countries.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this paper was to study epidemiology, causes, and clinical features of work-related and non-work-related eye injuries in a highly industrialized area of northern Italy.
  
  
  METHODS
  All patients hospitalized for eye injuries were enrolled. Two 3-year periods were studied (1994-1996 and 2005-2007). The variables analyzed included sex, age, social class of the patients, nature of the injuring agent (e.g., metal, plastic, etc.), place where the accident occurred (e.g., home, work, etc.), and time of the year (e.g., summer, winter, etc.).
  
  
  RESULTS
  We enrolled 1001 men and 129 women. There were no significant differences between the two 3-year periods as regards distribution of sex, age, and location. Road-related injuries significantly decreased (p < 0.004). Comparison of injuring agents showed a decrease in metallic agents (p < 0.001) and an increase in lime agents (p < 0.001). Analysis of the type of trauma showed a decrease in blunt traumas (p < 0.001) and an increase in chemical injuries (p < 0.001) and actinic keratitis (p = 0.002). In the second 3-year period, we found a significant increase in injuries in non-Italian subjects (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Work-related injuries were the major cause of eye trauma. Road accident-related eye injuries dropped significantly in the second 3-year period. The adoption of higher safety standards, as well as information and educational campaigns, can significantly reduce work-related and non-work-related eye injuries.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Semeraro
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Polcini
authors.forename: Eliana
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Forbice
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Monfardini
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Costagliola
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Apostoli
mesh_terms: D000062:Accidents, Occupational / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007221:Industry; D007297:Inpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013997:Time Factors; D014792:Visual Acuity