Purpose. To compare data from two eye injury surveillance systems using identical reporting forms. Methods. More than 6,000 injuries in the USEIR and over 1,000 injuries in the HEIR were analyzed and compared. Results. In both registries, more than half of patients were under 30 years of age, and the home was the most frequent place of injury with males accounting for 96% of work-related eye injuries. A significantly higher percentage of patients were injured by blunt objects in the HEIR (45%) than in the USEIR (30%). A full 9% of all cases in the HEIR were caused by hammering; champagne cork was another frequent cause of injury in Hungary. Surprisingly, a significantly higher proportion of injuries were assault-related in Hungary than in the U.S. (24% vs. 15%, respectively). The categories of interpersonal violence differed significantly between the two countries, being largely attributable to acts of family violence not involving firearms in Hungary. Conversely, a total of 12% of all injuries were caused by gunshots and BB guns in the U.S., compared to only 1% in the HEIR. Conclusions. Comparison of data collected in different countries or regions of individual countries by standardized methods can help highlight areas in which specific targeted interventions can be tested and, if effective, implemented.
