Abstract
PurposeTo describe epidemiology, causes, treatments, and outcomes of all ocular injuries in southern Finland among people aged 61 and older.MethodsAll new ocular trauma patients, admitted to the Helsinki University Eye Hospital, during one year in 2011–2012. The data was from hospital records and prospectively from patient questionnaires. The follow‐up time was three months.ResultsThe incidence for ocular injuries among the elderly was 38/100,000/year. From 118 patients 69% were men. The mean age was 70.9 years old (median 67). Hospitalization rate was 14%. Injury types were minor traumas (48%), contusions (22%), chemical injuries (10%), eyelid wounds (8%), open globe injuries (OGI) (7%), and orbital fractures (5%). The injuries occurred at home (58%), in institutions (12%), and in other public places (12%). The main causes of ocular injury were falls (22%), sticks (19%), superficial foreign bodies (18%), and chemicals (12%). All OGI and 88% of contusions needed a life‐long follow‐up. A permanent visual or functional impairment occurred in 15 (13%) patients. Of these 53% were OGI, 40% contusions, and 7% chemical injuries. The causes of permanent injuries were falls (7 cases, 47%), work tools, sports equipment, sticks, chemicals, and eyeglasses.ConclusionsMinor trauma was the most frequent type, and home was the most common place of eye injuries. Falls were the most frequent and serious cause, but behavioral causes (alcohol consumption and assaults) were not significant. Preventive measures should be directed towards the main identified causes and risk factors of the eye injuries in the elderly.
Published Version
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