Ocular dangers of fencing wire

To invesitgate the incidence and severity of penetrating eye injuries caused by fencing wire in the Waikato region.

We reviewed the case notes for all penetrating eye injuries treated at Waikato Hospital during the past six years. Parameters recorded were patient age and sex, mechanism of injury, initial visual acuity, characteristics of injury, surgery performed and final visual outcome.

The incidence of penetrating eye injuries in the Waikato region was 3.8 per 100,000 per year, based on an estimated catchment population of 350,000. We found fencing wire to be the third most common cause of penetrating eye injury, accounting for 8.8% of injuries, behind motor vehicle accidents and hammering which accounted for 26.3% and 20.0% of injuries, respectively. The fencing wire injuries involved men exclusively, with an average age of 41.7 years. Fencing wire injuries had worse presenting visual acuity than other injuries, involved the posterior segment of the eye more frequently and were more likely to develop bacterial endophthalmitis. They also underwent more surgical procedures and were more commonly associated with a poor visual outcome.

Fencing wire is an important cause of visual loss in the Waikato region. We hope to raise awareness of its potential ocular dangers and to promote the use of appropriate eye protection.