The incidence of eye injuries in New England adults
R. J. Glynn, J. M. Seddon and B. M. Berlin
Epidemiology Unit, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, MA 02114.
A population-based study examined the incidence of eye injuries among New
England adults and its association with demographic characteristics and
risk-taking behaviors. In 3253 random digit-dialed telephone interviews, 26
adults reported 27 eye injuries during the preceding year, yielding a rate
of 9.75 eye injuries per 1000 New England adults. Fifty-nine percent of eye
injuries occurred at work. Men had a risk of eye injuries 5.5 times that of
women and there was a steep linear decline in eye injury rates with
advancing age. Individuals who had other, noneye injuries during the
preceding year and individuals who had recently driven after drinking, used
marijuana, received a ticket for a moving violation, or not worn seat belts
had higher rates of eye injury, but these elevated rates were not
statistically significant. Educational and preventive efforts to avoid eye
injuries should be directed toward young males in high-risk occupations.
