Sport-related eye trauma: a survey of the presentation of eye injuries to a casualty clinic and the use of protective eye-wear.

The study investigated the workload offered by sport-related trauma to a busy casualty clinic and was carried out in two parts. The first part concerned compiling information about sport-related injuries presenting in 1 year to the outpatient eye clinic at Bradford Royal Infirmary. The second part attempted to investigate the awareness and the use of eye-protectors for squash by the student community of Bradford University, using a questionnaire. The sport-related injuries presenting to the casualty department were classified according to the sport involved. Analysis of the data shows that racquet sports, namely tennis, badminton and squash, jointly formed the highest percentage of presentations. In the case of squash and tennis injuries, follow-up treatment and/or admission to hospital was required in 100% of cases. These injuries could be reduced by wearing adequate eye-protectors. The questionnaire survey showed that only 9% of the squash players wore eye protection whilst playing, of whom 3.37% of the total had suffered lacerating injuries previously. Comparison with previous studies indicates that the pattern of eye injuries presenting to casualty departments, and the awareness of the general public concerning the use of eye-protectors, has not altered in recent years. Unless steps are taken, in terms either of mandatory use of eye-protectors and/or of educating the general public on the possible devastating effects of injury, these preventable injuries will continue to burden already overworked hospital casualty departments, draining both resources and expertise.