The pattern of perforating eye injuries in Ireland

Almost all perforating eye injuries present to dedicated eye units. Data from eye units are therefore reliable indicators of the incidence of perforating injuries.

To establish the aetiology and visual outcome of perforating eye injuries presenting to one unit over a twelve-month period.

Patients with eye injury were identified from the operating room register. Case-notes were reviewed and eye examinations were performed to determine current level of vision.

A total of 37 perforating eye injuries were operated on in the 12-month period from January to December 1995. Thirty one patients (83.8%) were male. The mean age was 33.9 years. The chief causes were work related or do-it-yourself (DIY) in 32.4%, miscellaneous accidents in 27.0%, assault in 16.2%, road traffic accidents in 10.8%. Twenty eyes (54.1%) were blind with acuity < 6/60 at their most recent review.

Work-related and DIY injuries are the most common causes of eye perforation. Many of these injuries are easily preventable with appropriate eye protection. The proportion of injuries resulting from road traffic accidents was low. Injuries due to assault are becoming more prevalent and carry a poor visual prognosis.