Frequency and characteristics of ocular trauma in an urban population.

All patients presenting with ocular trauma to the emergency room of a large inner-city hospital during a 2-month period were prospectively examined and interviewed. Of 3,627 trauma visits, ocular trauma accounted for 126 (3%). There were 514 trauma admissions; 26 (5%) of these were for ocular trauma. Bilateral injuries were encountered in 35 (27.6%) of the 126 patients. Patients in early adulthood (18 to 30 years) sustained the most eye injuries (36.9%) whereas elderly people had the fewest (1.6%). Males sustained ocular injuries more frequently than females (3.5:1) and blacks more frequently than Hispanics (2.4:1). Assault was predominantly the most common circumstance of injury (51.2%). Alcohol or drug use (26.7%) and belonging to a gang (6.2%) were other factors found to be uniquely related to ocular injury in this particular socioeconomic environment.