Epidemiological and occupational profile of eye trauma at a referral center in Espírito Santo, Brazil

ABSTRACT Objective: To draw an epidemiological and occupational profile of eye trauma at a Brazilian referral center, make comparisons with the literature and provide subsidies for the adoption of adequate prevention and enforcement measures. Methods: Descriptive and prospective epidemiological study using a standardized questionnaire to collect data from 60 patients presenting with eye trauma at an ophthalmology service (HUCAM) between 1 april 2013 and 1 october 2013. Results: The male gender was predominant (80%). Ages ranged from 8 to 60 years. Most accidents (56.7%) occurred in the workplace, followed by the home (28.3%). Most injuries were closed, predominantly contusions, followed by foreign body on the external eye. Importantly, 82.9% of the victims of work-related trauma wore no eye protection at the time of the accident. Conclusions: Eye trauma in the workplace and elsewhere is an important problem of public health as it affects primarily the economically active population and may have serious consequences. A considerable proportion of eye trauma is easily avoidable by using personal protective equipment. To minimize the incidence of eye trauma, more attention should be given to instruction in and enforcement of the use of such equipment, supported by frequent prevention campaigns.

摘要
研究目的：对巴西某转诊中心的眼外伤病例开展流行病学与职业特征分析，与现有文献进行对比，并为制定合理的预防与监管措施提供依据。
研究方法：本研究为描述性前瞻性流行病学研究，于2013年4月1日至2013年10月1日期间，采用标准化问卷收集某眼科诊疗机构（HUCAM）收治的60名眼外伤患者的相关数据。
研究结果：男性患者占比达80%，为主要患病人群；患者年龄跨度为8至60岁。超半数事故（56.7%）发生于工作场所，其次为家庭场景（28.3%）。眼外伤以闭合性损伤为主，其中挫伤最为常见，其次为眼表异物。值得注意的是，82.9%的职业外伤受害者在事故发生时未佩戴眼部防护装备。
研究结论：职场及其他场景下的眼外伤是一项重要的公共卫生问题，因其主要影响经济活动人口，且可能造成严重后果。相当比例的眼外伤可通过佩戴个人防护装备有效避免。为降低眼外伤的发病率，应加强眼部防护装备使用的宣教与监管，并依托常态化预防宣传活动予以支撑。