Aetiology and prevalence of eye injuries within the United Kingdom fire service

A survey was conducted on a sample of 1552 firefighting personnel to determine the incidence of eye injuries within the United Kingdom fire service. In total, 3.5% (n = 22/637) of firefighters per year will sustain an eye injury requiring 'medical attention'. This represents one ocular injury per 50,000 working hours. In 80% of cases eye protection was not being worn at the time of injury. Analysis of 75 accident report forms indicates that the vast majority (69/75) of eye injuries were sustained whilst on operational duty. These statistics are comparable to other professions which are considered to have an unacceptably high risk of injury and in which eye protection has therefore been actively enforced. It would follow that similar steps should be taken within the fire service to ensure firefighters wear eye protection on operational duty. This should apply even if there is no immediate recognition of a perceived danger. A firefighter presenting to an optometrist or medical practitioner, with or without an eye injury, should be counselled as to the advantages of eye protection.