Epidemiology

The World Health Organization has estimated that up to 55 million people experience an eye injury each year, with 1.6 million developing blindness, 2.3 million developing bilateral low vision, and almost 19 million developing unilateral blindness or low vision.[4]​ In the US, estimates derived from meta-analysis indicate eye injury pooled prevalence of 7.5 per 100; the comparable figure for eye injury-associated vision impairment and blindness was 5.1 per 1000.[5]

About half of all reported eye injuries occur in people aged 18 to 45 years, with a quarter each occurring in younger (0 to 18 years) and older (≥46 years) age groups. Men are typically at five times greater risk of eye injury across all age groups, except for fall-related injuries (when women have greater risk).[1][6][7][8] Falls are an important cause of eye trauma in the US (approximately 33.8 encounters per 100,000 population), especially in women, older people, and children.[9]

In the US, the risk of ocular trauma requiring open globe repair is associated with age 21 to 40 years, male sex, black and Hispanic ethnicity (inverse for Asian vs. white), and Southern and Western regions.[10][11]

Use of this content is subject to our disclaimer