The Epidemiology of Fishing-Associated Ocular Injuries

A study was conducted to provide updated epidemiologic information on the trends and characteristics of fishing-associated ocular injuries (FOIs).

Retrospective descriptive analysis and trend study.

Subject data was obtained from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission's National Electronic Injury Surveillance System (NEISS) database of patients with FOIs who presented to the Emergency Department (ED) in participating hospitals from January 1^st, 2005, to December 31^st, 2024.

346 entries of FOIs from the NEISS databases were analyzed. Results were stratified by year, and standard descriptive statistical methods were applied.

Epidemiologic and clinical information for each entry was evaluated, including subject demographic data, diagnoses of ocular trauma, mechanism of injury, and disposition.

Between 2005 and 2024, a total of 346 NEISS entries were evaluated. The most common diagnoses were contusions or abrasions (40.7%). The top three most reported mechanism of injuries included fishhooks or lures (32.5%), fishing rods/poles (21.4%), and fishing leads or weights (11.6%). Adults aged 18-64 years old and males comprised the majority of visits (55.9% and 83.5%, respectively). The total annual frequency of ED visits related to FOIs displayed a negative trend within the 20-year study period (r = -0.481). Most patients (85.2%) were discharged following examination and treatment from the ED; 8.1% were admitted.

This study provides epidemiologic data on the characteristics of ocular injury in the recreational setting of fishing and its presentations so that clinicians may be aware of ocular trauma associated with this sport.