Changes in the epidemiology of ruptured globe eye injuries due to societal changes.

We studied 208 records of patients, who had undergone primary repair of a ruptured globe. A comparison of the periods 1987-1989 and 1993-1995 suggests epidemiological changes as a result of broad changes in occupational and social conditions after the German reunification in 1989. The rate of ruptured globe injuries caused by occupational accidents decreased from 38.8% in the first period to 31.4% in the second. We found an increase in comparable eye injuries as a consequence of leisure activities. Within the years from 1993 to 1995, in occupational accidents, we found a significant decrease in eye injuries in industry while accidents in small companies (e.g. garages, builders and constructors) increased significantly compared to 1987-1989. Copyright 1999 S. Karger AG, Basel