Epidemiology of ocular trauma in Australia

Purpose: To describe the prevalence and risk factors of ocular trauma in a representative sample of Australians aged 40 and over who reside in the sta te of Victoria. Design: Population-based cross-sectional study. Participants: Australians aged 40 years and older living in Victoria. Methods: Cluster, stratified sampling was used to identify permanent reside nts for a population-based study of eye disease, A standardized examination that included visual acuity and information about ocular trauma was conduc ted. Main Outcome Measures: Self-reported history of ocular trauma and circumsta nces surrounding the events. Results: A total of 3271 (83% of eligible) Melbourne residents and 1473 (92 % of eligible) rural residents were examined, The overall rate of eye injur y history in Victoria was 21.1 % (95% confidence limits [CL] 19.6%, 22.5%). Men were far more likely than women to have ever experienced an eye injury (34.2% versus 9.9%), and rural men were more likely than Melbourne men to have ever had an eye injury (42.1% versus 30.5%). The workplace accounted f or the majority of eye injuries (60%), followed by the home (24%). The loca tion with the highest percent of people reporting the use of eye protection at the time of the injury was the workplace (18.5%); the workplace account ed for the lowest rate of hospitalization (4.9%). The industry with highest cumulative rate of eye injuries was communication (14 per 1000), whereas t he highest occupation-specific cumulative rates of eye injury were recorded for tradespersons (18 per 1000), Conclusions: Although ocular trauma is usually not associated with bilatera l vision impairment, it is a major public health problem in Australia. Rura l men, people engaged in hammering or sport, and those in the trades are at highest risk and require specific, targeted, prevention messages.