A Nationwide Collaborative Study

Abstract

\s=b\A nationwide study of patients hospitalized for ocular injuries was conducted in Israel during the years 1981 through 1983, with the participation of 17 ophthalmic departments. The study comprised 2276 patients (2416 eyes), 47% of whom were children. The male-female ratio was 4.3:1. Bilateral injuries occurred in 140 patients, with children sustaining the most severe injuries. Ocular injuries occurred most frequently at home, and children at play were most vulnerable. Most patients retained good vision, 3.7% lost vision totally, and 2% of the eyes had to be enucleated. (Arch Ophthalmol 1988;106:776-780) TV/Tost studies of ocular injuries are -' limited to specific aspects of the subject, such as perforating injuries18 or surgical management. Only a few general surveys have been published in the ophthalmic literature.916 During the years 1981 through 1983, a nationwide prospective study was conducted of ocular injuries in civilian patients in Israel. Injuries inflicted in the line of military duty were ex¬ cluded. The objectives of this survey were as follows: (1) to determine the prevalence and distribution of hospi¬ talized civilian ocular injuries in Isra¬ el; (2) to identify the main causes of these ocular injuries; (3) to identify the possible risk factors associated with high ocular injury prevalence; (4) to assess the disability and visual loss following ocular injuries; and (5) to define adequate measures for accident prevention.