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To investigate domestic violence (DV)-related ocular injuries among adult emergency department (ED) patients in the US. This was a retrospective, cross-sectional study of patients with a diagnosis of DV and diagnosis of ocular injury in the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS) from 2008–2017. We identified patient- and hospital-level variables associated with DV-related ocular injuries. We calculated annual incidence rates using US Census data. Adjusting for inflation using the Consumer Price Index, we calculated mean and total charges. From 2008–2017, there were 26,215 ED visits for ocular injuries related to DV with an average incidence of 1.09 per 100,000 adult population (female patients, 84.5%; mean age [SE], 34.3 [0.2]). DV-related ocular injuries were most prevalent among patients in the lowest income quartile (39.1%) and on Medicaid (37.4%). Most ED visits presented to metropolitan teaching (55.4%), non-trauma (46.7%), and south regional (30.5%) hospitals. The most common ocular injury was contusion of eye/adnexa (61.1%). The hospital admission rate was 5.2% with a mean hospital stay of 2.9 [0.2]. The inflation-adjusted mean cost for medical services was $38,540 [2,310.8] per encounter with an average increase of $2,116 per encounter, annually. The likelihood of hospital admission increased for patients aged ≥60 years old, on Medicare, and with open globes or facial/orbital fractures (all p <.05). Contusion of the eye/adnexa was the most common ocular injury among patients with DV-related ED visits. To better facilitate referrals to social services, ophthalmologists should utilize DV screenings, especially towards women and patients of less privileged socioeconomic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the epidemiology of inpatient open globe injuries (OGI) in the United States (US). This was a retrospective cohort study of patients with a primary diagnosis of OGI in the National Inpatient Sample (NIS) from 2009 to 2015. Sociodemographic characteristics, including age, gender, race, ethnicity, insurance, and income were stratified for comparison. Annual prevalence rates were calculated using 2010 US Census data. Statistical analysis included Chi-square tests, ANCOVA, and Tukey tests. A total of 6,821 US inpatient hospital discharge records met inclusion/exclusion criteria. The estimated national prevalence of OGI during the 5-year period from 2009 to 2015 was 34,061 (95% confidence interval [CI] 31,445–36,677). The overall annual prevalence rate was 1.58 per 100,000 per year (CI 1.56–1.59). Overall, average annual prevalence rates were highest among patients 85 years or older (7.72, CI 6.95–8.49), on Medicare (3.92, CI 3.84–4.00), males (2.28, CI 2.25–2.30), African Americans (2.38, CI 2.32–2.44), and Native Americans (1.80, CI 1.62–2.00). OGI rates were lowest among Whites (1.21, CI 1.19–1.22), females (0.89, CI 0.87–0.91), those with private insurance (0.84, CI 0.82–0.86), and Asians (0.69, CI 0.64–0.74). Being in the lowest income quartile was a risk factor for OGI (p <.05). Inpatient OGIs disproportionately affected those over 85, young males, elderly females, patients of African-American descent, on Medicare, and in the lowest income quartile. Additionally, children and young children had lower rates of OGI compared to adolescents. Further studies should delineate causes for socioeconomic differences in OGI rates to guide future public health measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]