History and Objectives: Due to discrepancies in the specificities of reported cases of eye trauma and in order to assess the prevalence and characteristics of patients affected with ocular injuries, the present study was conducted on patients referred to the emergency department of Matini hospital of Kashan in 1995.

Materials and Methods: A descriptive investigation on patients with eye trauma was carried out. Patient’s personal records, eye examination details, type of trauma (Sharp object or heavy blow, chemical, thermal trauma, radiation), type of object involved, duration and reason for hospitalization and treatment was recorded. On the basis of the data gathered statistical analysis was carried out.

Results: 1261 patient was examined (85.3% male and 14.7% female, ratio of male to female was 5.8 to 1). Most patients were in their third decade of life and most prevalent age was 24. The prevalence of eye trauma was even through out the year. Students, laborers, welders, children and housewives were most frequent groups referred to the emergency department. The most prevalent type of trauma was caused by presence of an object in the eye (55%) followed by mild trauma (25%), penetrating eye injuries and UV radiation (7% each) and chemical injuries (2%). Cornea (45%) and conjunctiva (33%) were areas most involved in the ocular injuries. Iron particles, steel rod, knife, falling, motor vehicles accidents, hot water, bicarbonate and detergents were the most prevalent agents involved in the ocular injuries. Four percents of patients required hospitalization and 2.4% required surgical procedures average stay in the hospital was 5 days. Penetrating eye injuries (44% fingers counting ability or less) and mild eye injuries (29% fingers counting ability or less) were the most probable cause of reduced visual ability.

Conclusion: Eye injuries among male patients were 6 times more frequent than their female counterparts, however ocular trauma in women and children were more severe in nature and therefore more attention and preventive measures are required. Since most ocular injuries result in mild trauma, giving therapeutic instruction, students and interns can deal with 90% of such cases successfully. The present study can be repeated after preventive instructions are given to children and factories.