Trends in Workplace-Related Eye Injuries in the United States From 2011 Through 2020

Abstract

Purpose: To provide insight into the current scope of workplace-related eye injuries (WREIs) by describing the demographic profiles and causes of WREIs from the years 2011 through 2020. Methods: The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) dataset on WREIs injuries was used. Descriptive data generated included the frequency of eye injuries, the setting, and demographic data. Results: The BLS reported an estimated 237 590 WREIs in the study timeframe. In that time, the incidence fell from 2.4 to 1.7 per 10 000 workers. These injuries commonly occurred in men (77.1%), White individuals (36.3%), those aged 25 to 34 years (26.9%), and those in the service (23.0%) and production (18.5%) industries. On average, WREIs resulted in a median of 2 missed workdays, with only 5.0% missing more than 1 month of work. Between 2019 and 2020, there was a 15.6% reduction in total WREIs in the US but a 39.3% increase in WREIs among healthcare workers. Conclusions: Men, White individuals, and younger workers might be at increased risk for WREIs. Public health interventions targeted toward improving access to and the quality of protective equipment in these groups and in fields involved in the primary or secondary sectors of industry and healthcare might be the most cost-effective measure to reduce the impact of WREIs on the US workforce.