Aerosol Container-Related Eye Injuries in the United States: 1997-2009

PurposeTo quantify and characterize eye injuries related to aerosol container consumer products treated in United States hospital emergency departments (EDs) from 1997 through 2009.DesignRetrospective study.MethodsDescriptive analysis of aerosol container-related eye injury data derived from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, a stratified probability sample of hospital-affiliated United States EDs. Data collected included demographic variables (gender and age), locale, diagnoses, and hospital disposition associated with aerosol container-related eye injuries treated in United States EDs from 1997 through 2009. Products associated with injury and mechanisms of injury also were extracted and analyzed.ResultsThere were an estimated 10 765 (95% confidence interval [CI], 9842 to 11 688) visits to United States EDs for aerosol container-related eye injuries during the study period; 6756 (95% CI, 5771 to 7742; 63%) patients were male; 5927 (95% CI, 4956 to 6897; 55%) injuries occurred in children (age < 18 years). The most common product was spray paint, accounting for 2048 (95% CI, 1402 to 2694; 19%) injuries. The most common mechanism of injury was self-inflicted spray to the eye, occurring in 4649 (95% CI, 3746 to 5552; 43%) cases. The most common diagnosis was dermatitis or conjunctivitis, occurring in 3880 (95% CI, 2995 to 4765; 36%) cases.ConclusionsThis study suggests that most aerosol container-related eye injuries in the United States occur in men and children and that self-inflicted spray to the eye is the most common mechanism of injury. Further research is needed to devise effective prevention strategies for these types of injuries.