Eyeglasses-Related Injuries Treated in U.S. Emergency Departments in 2002–2003

Abstract

Purpose: An estimated 60% of Americans wear prescription eyeglasses. Despite the fact that eyeglasses pose a threat for injury, there is little research presenting national statistics of eyeglasses-related injuries. Methods: The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System was used to analyze eyeglasses-related injuries treated in U.S. emergency departments (EDs) in 2002–2003. Eyeglasses-related injury cases were identified by the consumer product codes for eyeglasses and sunglasses and each case's narrative description was reviewed to identify the mechanism of injury. Cases (n = 642) were weighted to produce national estimates of eyeglasses-related injuries. Mechanism of injury, body region injured, injury diagnosis, and outcome of ED visit were analyzed by gender and age. Results: An estimated 27,152 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 21,627–32,677) eyeglasses-related injuries were treated in U.S. EDs in 2002–2003. Overall, males and females were equally likely to sustain eyeglasses-related injuries (53.5% vs. 46.5%), but this distribution varied by age group. A significantly higher percentage of eyeglasses-related injuries due to falls occurred among persons aged 65 years or more (89.5%, 95% CI: 83.5–93.5), whereas sports-related injuries were more common among persons aged 0–17 years (36.6%, 95% CI: 26.1–48.6). Eyeball injuries were significantly more prominent among persons aged 18–64 years. Overall, 3.8% (95% CI: 2.3–6.3) of eyeglasses-related injuries resulted in hospital admission. Conclusions: Eyeglasses-related injuries in the U.S. demonstrate age- and gender-specific characteristics. Safer eyeglasses design and the use of protective eyewear during sports activities and other activities with a high risk of ocular trauma will help prevent future eyeglasses-related injuries.

KEYWORDS:

• Emergency department
• eyeglasses
• eye injuries
• injury prevention
• sports trauma
• foreign bodies
• fall injury

Notes

*National Electronic Injury Surveillance System On-Line: http://www.cpsc.gov/library/neiss.html