Epidemiology of lifetime work-related eye injuries in the U.S. population associated with one or more lost days of work.

PURPOSE: Eye injuries are one of the most common types of work-related injuries. This study examined the lifetime prevalence rate of eye injuries at work and associated factors in the general population of the United States. METHODS: The data from the 2002 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were analyzed for individuals aged 18 years or older (n = 28,913). Lifetime prevalence rates of work-related eye injuries were determined by different factors, calculated as the percentage of the weighted number of people who reported to have an eye injury at work divided by the weighted total number of people in the corresponding category. RESULTS: The overall lifetime prevalence rate of work-related eye injuries was 4.4%. The lifetime age-specific prevalence rates of work-related eye injuries ranged from 2%, 3.8%, 4.9%, 6.0%, 5.4%, 4.0%, and 3.1% for ages 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-54, 55-64, 65-74, and 75+ years, respectively, with the highest rate in the age of 45-54 years. Men had a more than four-times higher rate of eye injury at work than women. Workers with less than a high-school education, non-Hispanic whites, self-employed, and in the midwest region were more likely to experience eye injuries (all p-values < 0.001). Occupations of precision production, transportation, or farming, and industries of mining or construction also increased the risk of eye injuries at work. CONCLUSION: Findings of the current study underscore the need of education and prevention program on eye protection at workplaces, targeting male workers, especially those who have a low education level and are self-employed.

Use of protective eyewear in U.S. adults: results from the 2002 national health interview survey.

PURPOSE: Many eye injuries occur because of not using protective eyewear. This study analyzed the 2002 National Health Interview Survey data to examine the rate of using protective eyewear during activities that could cause eye injuries outside the workplace and the correlates of not using protective eyewear among U.S. adults. METHODS: The rate of participation in activities that could cause eye injuries and the rate of protective eyewear use during these activities were estimated using sample weights to yield national estimates. RESULTS: A total of 30,894 individuals in the survey provided valid data for the current analysis, which revealed that 29.3% of the U.S. adults reported engaging in activities that could cause an eye injury and 32.1% of those used eye protection while doing such activities. Males were more likely to use eye protection than females (34.7% vs. 25.2%). The age group of 18-24 years was least likely to use eye protection (15.3%). Other factors associated with not using protective eyewear included being black or other races, non-retired individuals, and those from low-income families (all p-values < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Use of protective eyewear during activities that could cause eye injuries was relatively low in the US adult population. Certain groups were at a higher risk for not using eye protection, including females, young adults aged 18-24 years, black or other races, and individuals with a low socioeconomic status. To promote eye safety, health education programs should target these high-risk groups.