title: Trends in serious ocular trauma in Scotland.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report trends in serious, sight-threatening ocular trauma in Scotland.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective, population-based, observational study of patients with ocular trauma admitted to hospital in Scotland during a 12-month period (2008-2009), conducted through the British Ophthalmic Surveillance Unit. Data on circumstances of the injuries and visual outcomes were collected using protocols standardised to those from an earlier study (1991-1992) to allow direct comparisons over time.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In all, 0.3% of all emergency admissions in Scotland were for ocular trauma. Significant differences were observed between the time periods in where an injury occurred (P=0.009): a reduction of those occurring in a sports/leisure facility (8.2%) and an increase in those occurring on the street (21.4%). Assaults remained the most common cause of injury (31%). Gender differences persisted with females more likely to have an injury from falls (OR=8.67; 95% CI: 2.41-31.49; P=0.002), or in the home (OR=5.40; 95% CI: 1.69-17.16; P=0.009 ), and less likely to have one in the workplace (P=0.06). Poor visual outcome was associated with injuries occurring in the home (OR=4.33, P=0.047), in a public place (OR=6.25, P=0.047), and those caused by a fall (OR 42.75, P<0.001); or assault (OR 7.29, P=0.019). Half of those with a poor outcome have no perception of light.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Serious ocular trauma remains an infrequent, sight-threatening event, associated with significant monocular visual morbidity. The findings suggest a shift from corporate to personal responsibility for risk awareness, health, and safety.
authors: Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Desai
authors: Cardiff Eye Unit, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff, UK.
authors: D S
authors: DS
authors: Morris
authors: Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK.
authors: D C
authors: DC
authors: Minassian
authors: University Department of Ophthalmology, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, Scotland.
authors: C J
authors: CJ
authors: MacEwen
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D060051:Occupational Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012606:Scotland / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014754:Violence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology; D055815:Young Adult