Penetrating eye injuries from southeastern Anatolia region of Turkey

Objectives. This study analysed 420 patients with penetrating eye injuries who presented for treatment at the Eye Clinic of Dicle University Hospital in Turkey. The aim of the study was to identify preventable risk factors. Methods. A retrospective evaluation of patients who presented between January 1995 and December 2000 was undertaken. Cases were examined with regard to age, sex, profession, which eye was traumatized, reason for the trauma, nature of the trauma, time between injury and operation, and accompanying pathologies. Results. This study found that most penetrating eye injuries occurred in children aged 0-15 years, and these were mainly caused by accidents during play. For patients aged 16-60 years, penetrating eye injuries were mainly caused by work-related accidents. Conclusion. Most penetrating eye injuries were caused by preventable accidents. Many accidents and their resulting injuries could have been prevented by education, greater intensive care and workplace safety. (C) 2004 The Royal Institute of Public Health. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All. rights reserved.