title: Eye Injury Prevention for the Pediatric Population.
abstract: Each year an estimated 3.3 to 5.7 million pediatric eye injuries occur worldwide. It is widely reported that 90% of ocular injuries are preventable. Our aim was to identify legislation and policies, education, and mandatory eye protection strategies that have successfully contributed to reducing rates of children's eye injuries. A literature search was conducted using the terms "pediatric" or "children" or "adolescent" and "ocular" or "eye" and "protection" or "injury prevention." Articles were retrieved based on titles and abstracts and assessed in the context of our research question. Strategies identified aimed at reducing ocular trauma fell into 3 broad categories: legislation and policies, education, and personal eye protection. Policies including restrictions on the sale and supply of certain consumer products, mandatory vehicle seatbelts, and laminated windscreens in vehicles have assisted in reducing children's eye injuries. Educational tools aimed at children and their caregivers have been effective in changing attitudes to eye health and safety. Effective pediatric eye injury prevention systems require a multifactorial approach combining legislation, policies, standards, education, and personal eye protection to limit exposure to ocular hazards. A paucity of standardized measurement and lack of funding have limited advances in the field of children's eye injury prevention. Improved eye injury surveillance and research funding along with collaboration with health care providers are important components for strategies to prevent pediatric ocular trauma.
authors.affiliation: From the *Lions Eye Institute, Perth; †Centre for Ophthalmology and Visual Science, University of Western Australia, Crawley; and ‡Princess Margaret Hospital for Children, Perth, Western Australia, Australia.
authors.forename: Annette K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Hoskin
authors.forename: Swetha S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Philip
authors.forename: Anne-Marie E
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Yardley
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Mackey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000592:standards; D002669:Child Welfare / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D005131:Eye Injuries / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*