To investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of industrial ocular trauma for treatment application and prevention.

A retrospective survey of 207 eyes from 206 patients who visited Gosin University Gospel Hospital from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2007 was performed. The age, sex, diagnosis, causes, injury site, primary ocular surgery, duration of hospitalization and treatment, and initial and final visual acuities were reviewed using the United States Eye Injury Registry (USEIR) form based on the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology (BETT).

The trauma incidence was higher in males (95.65%) in their forties (50.24%). The mean patient age was 41.5 years. Separately counted lesions were presented as a proportion to total injured eyes. The most common diagnosis of industrial ocular traumas was global injuries (124.1%), orbital wall fractures (6.3%), adnexal trauma (5.3%) and optic nerve injuries (3.4%). The most common cause of ocular injuries was flying iron piece (28.67%), and the cornea was the most frequent injured site (69.1%). In 43% of the patients, surgical treatments were performed and the most common surgery was primary closure of the cornea or sclera (82.02%), followed by vitrectomy (30.33%). The average of initial and final visual acuity (log MAR) was 1.2 and 0.93, respectively. In 69.7% of all patients, the final visual acuity was improved or stabilized compared to the initial status.

Flying objects are still the most frequent cause of industrial ocular trauma and in approximately 70% of all patients, the final visual outcome improved or stabilized compared to the initial status. These types of ocular traumas can be significantly reduced by wearing protector shields along with educational safety programs.