Epidemiology and Risk of Vision Loss in Work-Related Ocular Trauma: Evidence from a Nationwide Trauma Registry.

PURPOSE: Ocular trauma is a leading cause of visual impairment, with work-related incidents representing a substantial yet preventable portion. Using nationwide data from regional trauma centers, this study compared work-related and non-work-related ocular trauma cases to identify injury mechanisms and high-risk groups of vision loss.

METHODS

This retrospective cross-sectional study compared work-related and non-work-related ocular injuries in adults, excluding superficial cases, from the Korea Trauma Data Bank (2017-2023). Diagnostic codes were categorized into three risks of vision loss tiers using a modified Delphi expert consensus. Risk factors for vision loss and surgical intervention were identified via multivariable logistic regression.

RESULTS

This study analyzed 10,272 adults with ocular trauma. Work-related trauma comprised 24.0% (N = 2,470) of cases, which were predominantly males (96.4%) aged 40-64 years (64.0%). Non-work-related trauma (N = 7,802) was more prevalent among females (25.0%) aged 65 years or older (30.6%). In the work-related group, non-Korean individuals had a significantly higher risk of vision loss (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 1.73; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.20-2.50). Cutting or piercing injuries and burns were the strongest predictors of vision loss in both groups, especially the work-related trauma group (aOR 74.73, 95% CI 33.37-167.36).

CONCLUSIONS

Cutting or piercing accidents and burns were identified as high-risk accident types for vision loss, highlighting the need for strengthened safety measures to prevent these hazardous events. There was an elevated risk for work-related trauma among non-Korean individuals, as well as for non-work-related trauma among older adults, highlighting the need for targeted safety policies and training.