Preventing occupational chemical eye injuries: important lessons from poison information centres.

BACKGROUND: Occupational exposure to hazardous substances is a major public health problem. In the workplace, eye exposures are common and can be a major cause of morbidity and disability. This commentary discusses the role of poison information centres in providing valuable information on the circumstances and causes of these incidents. OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SURVEILLANCE: As many eye exposures are easily preventable, there is a need to establish better safety practices in the workplace. Currently, both governments and labour organizations primarily employ injury statistics for the purpose of occupational health surveillance. Identifying risk factors associated with acute exposures in the workplace requires a comprehensive approach using a variety of information resources. Using information from poison information centres can provide invaluable insight into the specifics of the exposure, including the route(s) of exposure, the substances involved and the cause of the exposure. CIRCUMSTANCES OF OCCUPATIONAL EYE EXPOSURES: Exposure to hazardous substances can occur at various time points during work. A prospective study performed by the Dutch Poisons Information Centre showed that cleaning is a high-risk activity for occupational eye exposure. Patients were often exposed to chemical mixtures that frequently contained alkalis or acids. CHEMICAL EYE INJURIES: Symptoms following eye contact with chemicals can vary greatly depending on factors such as the type and concentration of the substance(s) involved, the duration of exposure and the time and duration of irrigation (first-aid measure). Eye contact will usually cause irritation, but in more severe cases, chemical burns will result. Recent studies demonstrate that occupational eye exposures often result in only relatively mild symptoms, such as pain, redness, lacrimation or temporary loss of vision. More severe symptoms, such as corneal abrasion, were reported rarely, which may be explained by prompt eye irrigation. ROOT CAUSES OF OCCUPATIONAL EYE EXPOSURES: To control risks to workers, a hierarchy of prevention and control measures has been established, which employers must take. If elimination or substitution of the dangerous substance is not possible, the exposure can be prevented or reduced by taking organizational (e.g., providing work instructions), technical (e.g., ventilation) and personal (e.g., wearing personal protective equipment) measures. The study performed by the Dutch Poisons Information Centre showed that organizational factors (such as lack of work instructions) and personal factors (such as time pressure and fatigue, and not (adequately) using personal protective equipment), were the main causes of occupational eye exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Poison information centres provide valuable information that can be used to develop prevention strategies to reduce the number of acute occupational exposures in the future. A multidisciplinary approach is essential to ensure that these preventive measures are actually applied in practice. Therefore, all organizations involved (including governments, labour organizations, medical professionals, occupational physicians, occupational hygienists, safety experts and poison information centres) must work closely together.

Preventing Eye Injuries From Light and Laser-Based Dermatologic Procedures: A Practical Review.

The light and laser-based devices used in cosmetic dermatology practice carry a risk of serious ocular injury if appropriate safety measures are not put in place. Currently there is a lack of enforced regulation around the use of these devices. This raises concerns for the handling of these devices by operators who may not have adequate training and qualifications. There is also no mandated reporting of adverse events, thus precluding determination of the true incidence of laser-induced ocular injuries. To decrease the risk of ocular and periocular laser-induced injuries, several practical measures can be implemented within the clinical setting. Scientific articles were identified by performing a literature review using terms relevant to laser eye safety and a narrative review was performed. This article explores several components of laser eye safety: patient screening and informed consent, clinical environment considerations, operator considerations, protective eyewear selection for operators and patients, when to use a corneal shield, how to place a corneal shield and what to do in the event of a suspected eye injury. It is our prerogative that a functional understanding of the scientific underpinnings of laser eye safety coupled with observance of published standards has the potential to reduce incidents.

Quantifying the efficacy of protective eyewear in pediatric soccer-induced retinal injury.

BACKGROUND: Ocular injury is common in children playing sports. Sports-related eye injuries, if severe enough, can lead to permanent vision impairment. Soccer, the most popular sport in the world, is a sport in which players rarely use protective eyewear. The purpose of this study was to determine how eye injuries are induced by a soccer ball impact and to evaluate whether eye protection influences the effects of impact. METHODS: A finite element (FE) computer simulation was used to simulate soccer ball trauma on a model of the eye with and without eye protection. Protective eyewear of different materials (polycarbonate and acrylic) was modeled to investigate the optimal medium for eye protection. Stress and strain experienced by the eyeball was quantified by the FE computer simulation in each model. RESULTS: Protective eyewear was found to be effective in lowering ocular stress and strain by absorbing and redirecting energy from the ball. Compared to the unprotected eye model, polycarbonate eyewear reduced the average stress the retina experienced by 61%, whereas the acrylic model reduced the average stress by 40%. Polycarbonate and acrylic eyewear also reduced the maximum strain experienced by the retina by 69% and 47%, respectively, reducing the severity of deformations of the eye on impact. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that wearing protective eyewear, especially when made of polycarbonate, can be an effective means of reducing injury-inducing retinal stress. The use of eye protection is thus recommended for pediatric patients participating in soccer.

The Orbital Bones Protect the Globe From Sharp Periorbital Trauma Injuries.

BACKGROUND: The bones of the orbit hold the globe and periocular structures and protect it and other periocular contents. This has been shown in blowout orbital fractures, as well as in high-energy injuries to the periorbital region. However, there is little information regarding how the orbital bones protect the globe after periorbital trauma from sharp objects. OBJECTIVES: This study reports 4 cases of traumatic injury from sharp objects to the periorbital area and eyelids to demonstrate the protective features of the orbital bones. RESULTS: The anatomy of the periorbital bones clearly protected the globe from direct trauma in all the 4 cases. CONCLUSIONS: There was no harm to the orbit or visual impairment after the successful treatment with definitive surgery.

Consumer Product-Related Pediatric Eye Injuries Treated in United States Emergency Departments.

PURPOSE: This study investigates characteristics and trends of children <18 years old treated in United States emergency departments (EDs) for consumer product-related eye injuries. METHODS: Data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System for January 1, 1997 through December 31, 2019 were analyzed. RESULTS: During the 23-year study period, an estimated 1,453,283 children were treated for consumer product-related eye injuries, averaging 63,186 children annually. Overall, the eye injury rate per 100,000 children <18 years old increased initially from 82.64 in 1997 to 104.53 in 2001 (p = .0492) and then decreased by 32.1% to 70.95 in 2019 (p < .0001). Almost two-thirds (64.5%) were boys and 32.1% were <5 years old. Overall, 2.6% of patients were admitted, but injuries involving non-powder firearms and golf had the highest admission rates (18.8% and 14.7%, respectively). Compared with other product categories, children were more frequently admitted if they had an eye injury associated with non-powder firearms (18.8% admitted; OR: 10.92, 95% CI: 8.67-13.76) or golf (14.7% admitted; OR: 6.59, 95% CI: 3.51-12.34). Contact with a non-chemical product was the leading mechanism of eye injury in all age groups, except children <5 years old, in which the leading mechanism was contact with a chemical product (34.2%). Corneal abrasion (36.5% overall) was the most frequent diagnosis across all age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although the rate of consumer product-related pediatric eye injuries treated in US EDs has decreased since 2001, these injuries remain common among children. Therefore, increased prevention efforts are needed.

The Importance of Health Literacy in Addressing Eye Health and Eye Care Disparities.

Disparities in eye health and eye care frequently result from a lack of understanding of ocular diseases and limited use of ophthalmic health services by various populations. The purpose of this article is to describe the principle of health literacy and its central role in enhancing health, and how its absence can result in poorer health outcomes. The article evaluates the current status of health literacy in visual health and disparities that exist among populations. It also explores ways to improve health literacy as a means of reducing disparities in visual health and eye care. Advancing dissemination of health information and enhancing health literacy may help not only to reduce healthcare barriers in the underserved populations but also to lessen visual health disparities.

Ocular Trauma During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to summarize the latest literature on the trends and incidence of ocular trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic literature search was conducted to identify the relevant literature. The search period was between January 1, 2020, and September 20, 2021. The incidence of overall and various types of ocular trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic and the control period was analyzed. The data from different studies were pooled. The odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 32 articles were included. After pooling the data from all included studies, the incidence of total and pediatric ocular trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic was 67.7% and 54.3% of those in the control period, respectively. However, the proportion of ocular trauma in eye emergency visits increased during the pandemic (OR, 95% CI: 1.46, 1.04-2.06). The proportion of domestic ocular trauma increased (OR, 95% CI: 3.42, 1.01-11.62), while ocular trauma related to sports and outdoor activities and occupational ocular trauma decreased (OR, 95% CI: 0.64, 0.09-4.29 and 0.18, 0.10-0.33, respectively). It was also reported that chemical injury caused by alcohol-based sanitizers, photokeratitis caused by ultraviolet lamps, and mechanical eye injury caused by masks increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: There was a reduction in overall eye injuries and substantial differences in the spectrum of ocular trauma during the COVID-19 pandemic. Proper health education and supervision should be strengthened to prevent ocular injuries related to COVID-19 preventive interventions.

Seguridad en procedimientos dermatológicos: complicaciones oftalmológicas / Safety in Dermatologic Procedures: Ophthalmologic Complications

Las complicaciones oftalmológicas en las cirugías dermatológicas son poco frecuentes. A pesar de ello, todo cirujano debe tener un conocimiento básico del reconocimiento, la prevención y el tratamiento de las cuatro complicaciones que se abordan en este artículo incluido en la serie «Seguridad en procedimientos dermatológicos». La primera complicación a tratar es el daño ocular por irritantes químicos, una situación habitual dadas las sustancias irritantes empleadas en quirófano y las localizaciones anatómicas donde se puede producir la intervención (región ciliar, región palpebral…). En segundo lugar, se aborda el daño ocular por láser, una complicación donde la prevención (utilización de gafas o lentillas protectoras) a lo largo de toda la intervención es esencial. Otra complicación a tener en cuenta debido a la proximidad de algunas intervenciones quirúrgicas al globo ocular es la punción traumática accidental. En cuarto y último lugar, se abordará el vasoespasmo o embolismo arterial retiniano por fármacos o materiales de relleno. Dicha complicación es infrecuente, pero es recomendable saber reconocerla para realizar un tratamiento precoz evitando una situación de ceguera permanente (AU)

Ophthalmological complications are uncommon in dermatologic surgery. Nonetheless, all surgeons should know the basics of recognizing, preventing, and treating the 4 complications addressed in this article from the series ‘Safety in Dermatologic Procedures’. The first complication that surgeons should be familiar with is eye damage due to chemical irritants. This is a common complication in operating rooms given the presence of irritant substances and the performance of procedures in the eyebrow and eyelid region. The second complication is laser-induced eye damage. In this case, eye protection with safety glasses or eye caps is crucial. The third complication is accidental eyeball perforation, which can occur during certain surgical procedures. The fourth and final complication is retinal artery vasospasm or embolism due to drugs or filler materials. This complication is rare but important to recognize, as early treatment can prevent permanent blindness (AU)

[Translated article] Safety in Dermatologic Procedures: Ophthalmologic Complications / Seguridad en procedimientos dermatológicos: complicaciones oftalmológicas

Ophthalmological complications are uncommon in dermatologic surgery. Nonetheless, all surgeons should know the basics of recognizing, preventing, and treating the 4 complications addressed in this article from the series ‘Safety in Dermatologic Procedures’. The first complication that surgeons should be familiar with is eye damage due to chemical irritants. This is a common complication in operating rooms given the presence of irritant substances and the performance of procedures in the eyebrow and eyelid region. The second complication is laser-induced eye damage. In this case, eye protection with safety glasses or eye caps is crucial. The third complication is accidental eyeball perforation, which can occur during certain surgical procedures. The fourth and final complication is retinal artery vasospasm or embolism due to drugs or filler materials. This complication is rare but important to recognize, as early treatment can prevent permanent blindness (AU)

Las complicaciones oftalmológicas en las cirugías dermatológicas son poco frecuentes. A pesar de ello, todo cirujano debe tener un conocimiento básico del reconocimiento, la prevención y el tratamiento de las cuatro complicaciones que se abordan en este artículo incluido en la serie «Seguridad en procedimientos dermatológicos». La primera complicación a tratar es el daño ocular por irritantes químicos, una situación habitual dadas las sustancias irritantes empleadas en quirófano y las localizaciones anatómicas donde se puede producir la intervención (región ciliar, región palpebral…). En segundo lugar, se aborda el daño ocular por láser, una complicación donde la prevención (utilización de gafas o lentillas protectoras) a lo largo de toda la intervención es esencial. Otra complicación a tener en cuenta debido a la proximidad de algunas intervenciones quirúrgicas al globo ocular es la punción traumática accidental. En cuarto y último lugar, se abordará el vasoespasmo o embolismo arterial retiniano por fármacos o materiales de relleno. Dicha complicación es infrecuente, pero es recomendable saber reconocerla para realizar un tratamiento precoz evitando una situación de ceguera permanente (AU)

Combat-related ocular injuries in the Israel Defense Forces during the years 2013 to 2019.

BACKGROUND: Ocular injuries account for up to 13% of battle injuries, despite the implementation of advanced protective eyewear (PE). The aim of this study was to describe the extent of ocular injuries over the last years among Israel Defense Forces soldiers and to examine the change in PE policy introduced in 2013 and the effect of a high-intensity conflict on ocular injury characteristics. METHODS: This retrospective registry-based analysis derived data from the Israel Defense Forces Trauma Registry and included soldiers who sustained combat-related ocular injuries between the years 2013 and 2019. Demographic data and injury characteristics of casualties, as well as information regarding the use of PE, were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 2,312 military casualties were available for this study; the incidence of combat-related ocular injuries was 8.9% (n = 113). Ocular injuries occurred among male soldiers (98.2%) with a mean ± SD age of 22.7 ± 4.6 years; mechanism of injury was penetrating in 59.3% of the casualties and blunt in 22.1% of the casualties, ocular injury was isolated in 51.3% of the casualties, and others sustained concomitant injuries including head (32.7%), upper extremity injury (17.7%), lower extremity (15.9%), torso (8.0%), neck (6.2%), and other (5.9%) injuries. Ocular injuries rate was similar among casualties who used PE (11.2%) and those who did not use PE (13.0%) while injured (p = 0.596). Rate of open globe injuries was 9.1% in casualties who used PE and 39.5% (p = 0.002) in casualties who did not. CONCLUSION: Eye protection may significantly reduce ocular injuries severity. Education of the combatants on the use of PE and guidance of medical teams on proper assessment, initial treatment, and rapid evacuation of casualties are needed to improve visual outcomes of the casualties further. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Epidemiological study, level IV.

Cuidados de enfermagem com o protetor ocular de recém-nascidos submetidos à fototerapia / Nursing care with the eye protector of newborns submitted to phototherapy / Atención de enfermería con protección ocular para recién nacidos sometidos a fototerapia

Objetivo: Avaliar os cuidados de enfermagem com o protetor ocular em recém-nascidos. Método: Estudo investigatório descritivo, com abordagem qualitativa, realizado em hospital-escola, localizado na cidade de Fortaleza-Ceará, Brasil, janeiro a fevereiro de 2016. Participaram do estudo 15 enfermeiras que prestavam cuidados a recém-nascidos em fototerapia, na Unidade de Cuidados Intermediários e Terapia Intensiva. A coleta dos dados ocorreu por meio de entrevista não estruturada. Resultados: O protetor ocular é utilizado na prevenção de lesão na retina de recém-nascidos, sendo que existem riscos na utilização desse artefato e, para evitar danos, são realizados cuidados essenciais direcionados aos recém-nascidos sob fototerapia. Conclusão: Os cuidados que as enfermeiras prestam aos recém-nascidos são realizados de forma sistematizada, aliando humanização e tecnologia.(AU)

Objective: To evaluate nursing care with eye protection for newborns. Method: Descriptive investigative study, with a qualitative approach, carried out in a teaching hospital, located in the city of Fortaleza-Ceará, Brazil, January to February 2016. The study included 15 nurses who cared for newborns undergoing phototherapy, at the Intermediate Care and Intensive Care. Data collection took place through unstructured interviews. Results: The eye protector is used to prevent injury to the retina of newborns, and there are risks in the use of this artifact and, to avoid damage, essential care directed to newborns under phototherapy is performed. Conclusion: The care that nurses provide to newborns is carried out in a systematic way, combining humanization and technology.(AU)

Objetivo: Evaluar los cuidados de enfermería con protección ocular para recién nacidos. Método: Estudio descriptivo de investigación, con abordaje cualitativo, realizado en un hospital universitario, ubicado en la ciudad de Fortaleza-Ceará, Brasil, de enero a febrero de 2016. Participaron del estudio 15 enfermeras que asistieron a recién nacidos en fototerapia, en el Intermedio. Cuidados y cuidados intensivos. La recolección de datos se realizó mediante entrevistas no estructuradas. Resultados: El protector ocular se utiliza para prevenir daños en la retina del recién nacido, existen riesgos en el uso de este artefacto y, para evitar daños, se realizan cuidados esenciales dirigidos al recién nacido sometido a fototerapia. Conclusión: La atención que brindan las enfermeras al recién nacido se realiza de manera sistemática, combinando humanización y tecnología.(AU)

Temporary ab interno suture cyclopexy for closing a cyclodialysis cleft during cataract surgery.

Cyclodialysis clefts are often associated with ocular hypotony and attendant maculopathy. However, these clefts create an alternative aqueous outflow pathway that can be useful to maintain intraocular pressure (IOP) at physiologic levels under some conditions. At normal levels of IOP, they might prevent glaucoma damage and avoid maculopathy of hypotony. Indeed, historically, cyclodialysis was a planned surgical method for managing glaucoma, and more recently, a minimally invasive glaucoma surgery device that created a small-stented cyclodialysis was in use until removed from the market for unrelated concerns. Cataract surgery in the presence of a cleft, however, might be complicated by extensive fluid misdirection through the cleft with resultant large suprachoroidal effusion. A technique of ab interno temporary suture cyclopexy was devised for a patient needing cataract surgery with an existing traumatic cyclodialysis cleft that was vital for long-term management of IOP. The suture was used to close the cleft transiently during surgery and was removed at the close of the procedure to reestablish patency and preserve the cleft.

Traumatismos deportivos en oftalmología. Un estudio descriptivo en un hospital terciario / Sports injuries in opthalmology. A descriptive study in a tertiary hospital / Lesões esportivas em oftalmologia. Estudo descritivo em hospital terciário

OBJETIVO: Determinar las características clínicas y epidemiológicas de los traumatismos deportivos oculares de la población asistencial de un hospital terciario de Madrid. MÉTODO: Recopilación retrospectiva de los datos clínicos de los pacientes que acudieron al servicio de urgencias del Hospital Clínico San Carlos en el periodo enero 2015-diciembre 2017 y que habían sufrido un traumatismo ocular durante la práctica de algún deporte. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron en el estudio un total de 54 pacientes. 47 (87.04%) fueron hombres. La edad media fue de 27.26 años ± 13.01 años de desviación estándar. El deporte que causó más traumatismos entre los pacientes incluidos en el estudio fue el fútbol, seguido de deportes de raqueta, fuerza y combate y baloncesto. La iritis traumática fue el diagnóstico más frecuente, seguido de lesión periocular, lesiones de polo anterior, conmoción retiniana, lesiones regmatógenas, fractura orbitaria y desprendimiento de retina. El 87.04% de los cuadros se resolvieron con tratamiento médico. CONCLUSIONES: La mayoría de los traumatismos oculares deportivos son leves y se resuelven apenas con tratamiento médico. Se deben excluir diagnósticos más graves que requieran de un tratamiento más específico. Las campañas de prevención de daños deben ir encaminadas a los grupos con mayor riesgo de presentarlos

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to determine the clinical and epidemiologic characteristics of ocular sports injuries in a tertiary hospital of Madrid. METHOD: The study was based on a retrospective record of clinical data of patients who underwent clinical exploration after ocular sport injury between January 2015 and December 2017 in Clinic Hospital San Carlos. RESULTS: A total of 54 patients were recruited from which 47 (87.04%) were males. The mean age was 27.26 years ± 13.01 years Standard Deviation. The sport with the most frequent cause of ocular injury was soccer, followed by racket sports, fight sports and basketball. Traumatic iritis was the most frequent diagnosis, followed by periocular lesions, anterior segment lesions, conmotio retinae, rhegmatogenous lesions, orbital fracture and retinal detachment. Medical treatment solved 87.04% of the cases. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the sports related to ocular injuries were minor cases and they could be solved with only medical treatment. More severe diagnosis must be investigated for more specific treatments, thought. Prevention strategies must be focused in higher risk groups

OBJETIVO: O objetivo deste artigo é determinar as características clínicas e epidemiológicas das lesões oculares desportivas num hospital terciário de Madrid. MÉTODO: O estudo foi baseado num registo retrospectivo de dados clínicos de doentes que foram submetidos a exploração clínica depois duma lesão desportiva ocular entre Janeiro de 2015 e Dezembro de 2017 no Hospital Clínico San Carlos. RESULTADOS: Foram recrutados 54 doentes, dos quais 47 (87.04%) eram do sexo masculino. A idade média foi de 27.26 anos ± 13.01 anos de desvio padrão. O desporto que mais frequentemente causou lesões oculares foi o futebol, seguido dos desportos de raquete, luta desportiva e basquetebol. A irite traumática foi o diagnóstico mais frequente, seguida de lesões perioculares, lesões do segmento anterior, conmotio retinae, lesões regmatogénicas, fractura orbital e descolamento da retina. O tratamento médico resolveu 87.04% dos casos. CONCLUSÕES: A maioria dos desportos relacionados com lesões oculares foram casos menores e só puderam ser resolvidos com tratamento médico. É necessário investigar um diagnóstico mais rigoroso para tratamentos mais específicos. As estratégias de prevenção devem ser centradas nos grupos de maior risco

Sustained dasatinib treatment prevents early fibrotic changes following ocular trauma.

PURPOSE: Posterior ocular trauma and the subsequent fibrotic retinal complication termed proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) are leading causes of blindness in children and young adults. A previous study suggested that changes occurring within the first month post-trauma can lead to development of PVR later. The aim of this study was to examine the effect of dasatinib, a tyrosine kinase inhibitor clinically used to treat chronic myeloid leukemia, on fibrotic changes occurring within the first month following ocular trauma. METHODS: A previously established swine ocular trauma model that mimics both contusion and penetrating injuries was used. Dasatinib was administered on days 4 and 18 post-trauma via intravitreal injection of either bolus solution or suspension of a sustained release system incorporated in biodegradable poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles. Animals were followed up to day 32, and the development of traction full-thickness fold in the posterior retina was assessed. RESULTS: A full-thickness retinal fold extending from the wound site developed in 3 out of 4 control eyes injected with PLGA nanoparticles alone at 1 month. Administration of dasatinib solution had little preventative effect with 6 out of 7 eyes developing a fold. In contrast, dasatinib-incorporated PLGA nanoparticle injection significantly reduced the incidence of fold to 1 out of 10 eyes. CONCLUSIONS: Injection of dasatinib-incorporated PLGA significantly reduced early fibrotic retinal changes which eventually lead to PVR following posterior ocular trauma. Thus, our sustained dasatinib release system can potentially be used to both prevent and/or broaden the surgical treatment window for PVR.

Relationship between the use and type of eye protection and work-related corneal and conjunctival foreign body injuries.

OBJECTIVE: This study was designed to reveal the relationship between the use and type of eye protection and the occurrence of work-related corneal and conjunctival foreign body injuries. METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study of patients with work-related corneal and/or conjunctival foreign body injuries between 1 August 2017 and 31 July 2018. They were all diagnosed and treated at Jia Ding Hospital affiliated to the Shanghai University of Medicine and Health Sciences in Shanghai, China. All patients received a comprehensive eye examination and a face-to-face interview using a structured questionnaire by ophthalmologists. RESULTS: A total of 426 consecutive patients were included in the study. The majority of work-related eye injuries occurred in men (94.17%). Summer was the season that had the highest incidence of eye injuries, especially in July and August (38.03%). There were 290 patients (68.08%) that were injured more than once. The ratio of eye protection use to non-protection was 1:7 at the first time of eye injury. The ratio improved to 1:3 on subsequent injury. A majority of employers (79.11%) provided eye protection to employees. However, 19.95% of the workers were injured despite wearing a pair of protective spectacles. The causes of work-related eye injury were as follows: no eye protections provided (20.89%); unawareness of work safety (30.99%); defect of spectacles (47.18%). CONCLUSIONS: Protection use at work effectively prevents work-related eye injuries. Both employers and employees require improved awareness of workplace hazards and personal protection. Eye protection should be selected appropriately according to the work environment.