Results of American Academy of Ophthalmology's seventh annual Eye Injury Snapshot finds men report nearly three times more eye injuries than women
SAN FRANCISCO – Men suffer from nearly three times as many eye injuries as women, according to a survey conducted by the American Academy of Ophthalmology Academy and the American Society of Ocular Trauma ASOT. The annual Eye Injury Snapshot, a clinical survey of eye injuries across the U.S., conducted from May 16 to May 23 this year, found that men suffered the majority 73.5 percent of the eye injuries. Annually, 2.5 million Americans suffer eye injuries and more than 52 percent of all injuries are taking place at home.
"It is often the most common household chores and activities that can lead to devastating eye injuries," said Randolph L. Johnston, MD, president of the Academy. "Taking the time to protect your eyes while performing these tasks is the easiest way to protect your sight."
In an effort to prevent the most common eye injuries, the Academy and ASOT recommend that every household in America have at least one pair of ANSI-approved* protective eyewear to be worn when doing projects and activities at home.
This was the seventh year that data was collected for the Eye Injury Snapshot. Among the key findings:
- One in four of the eye injuries occurring at home were due to play/sports.
- Another 25 percent were due to home repair or power tools.
- The yard and garden were the places people were most likely to suffer an eye injury in the home.
- Nearly half of the injuries reported were to people between the ages of 30-64, while children 12 years of age or younger represented about 12 percent of the injuries.
- More than 40 percent of eye injuries occur between noon and 7 p.m.
Learn more about eye injuries, get names of Eye M.D.s in your area or ask an Eye M.D. a question by visiting EyeSmart.
* ANSI-approved protective eyewear is manufactured to meet the American National Standards Institute ANSI eye protection standard. ANSI-approved protective eyewear can be easily purchased from most hardware stores nationwide and can be identified by the mark "Z87" placed on the eye wear. ANSI-approved protective eyewear is not approved for use in sports. To locate appropriate eyewear for specific sports talk to your ophthalmologist or visit EyeSmart.
About the American Academy of Ophthalmology
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is the world's largest association of eye physicians and surgeons—Eye M.D.s—with more than 29,000 members worldwide. Eye health care is provided by the three "O's" – opticians, optometrists and ophthalmologists. It is the ophthalmologist, or Eye M.D., who can treat it all: eye diseases, infections and injuries, and perform eye surgery. To find an Eye M.D. in your area, visit the Academy's Web site at www.aao.org.