Ocular Injury in Korea: Epidemiological Analysis and Risk Assessment Based on Nationwide Emergency Department Data...

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Ocular injury represents a significant public health challenge, impacting vision and healthcare systems.
• Understanding the epidemiology of eye injuries in South Korea is crucial for effective prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of ocular injuries in South Korea.
• To identify factors associated with a high risk of vision loss from ocular injuries.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the National Emergency Department Information System (2016-2022).
• Categorized ocular injury visits by type and vision loss risk using a modified Delphi process.
• Employed multivariate logistic regression to determine factors linked to high vision loss risk.

Main Results:

• Analyzed 581,264 ocular injury cases; males (72.3%) and ages 40-64 (37.02%) were most affected.
• The elderly (≥65 years) showed an increasing injury trend (9.41% in 2016 to 17.82% in 2022).
• Industrial accident insurance coverage, machinery-related incidents, and low-population area residency significantly increased vision loss risk.

Conclusions:

• Provides a comprehensive epidemiological overview of ocular injury in South Korea.
• Emphasizes the need to understand injury mechanisms, promote eye protection, and enhance emergency care in underserved areas.