Fishing-related ocular trauma.

PURPOSE

To evaluate the characteristics of fishing-related ocular injuries.

DESIGN

Retrospective observational analysis of a computerized databank.

METHODS

The United States Eye Injury Registry was used to analyze 143 patients with fishing-related ocular injury. Epidemiologic and clinical information was evaluated including the age and gender of the subjects, classification of ocular trauma, surgical management, and final visual acuity.

RESULTS

Of the 732 cases of sport-related ocular trauma, 143 (19.54%) occurred while fishing; of these, 79% were male patients who ranged in age from 6 to 68 years (mean, 37 years). Corneal laceration, globe rupture, and hyphema were the most common diagnoses at presentation and were caused by fishing hooks, lures, and weights. Thirty-five bystanders are included in the study. Thirty-eight percent of patients had visual acuity less than 20/50, and 21% had a visual acuity of less than 20/200. Open globe injuries portended a poor visual outcome compared with closed globe injuries.

CONCLUSIONS

Fishing-related ocular injuries represent a large percent of sports-related trauma, often resulting in significant visual loss. Preventive measures such as the use of protective eyewear should be advised in this activity.