The hazards of hammers

Fifty-five patients who had received an intraocular foreign body as a result of using a hammer were identified during a 4-year period. Of these, 36 had suffered the injury while at work and 19 while undertaking do-it-yourself activities at home. None had been wearing suitable protection. Seven patients were bystanders and not actually wielding the hammer. Twenty-three patients had a final visual acuity in the affected eye of 6/24 or worse.