The Italian Eye Injury Registry

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To collect epidemiological ocular trauma data in Italy through an integrated national database. Methods: Many meetings in every region of Italy were performed during the 2002 to sensitize ophthalmologists. A dedicated database on the web was developed using the Lotus Notes & Domino Designer, with all characteristics of security and privacy guaranteed. All Italian ophthalmologists responsible for an emergency department may enter the system with different level of access, inserting data of strong eye injuries according to the BETT classification. 20 responsible ophthalmologists (one for each Italian Region) have to control and approve regional data inserted by their colleagues. Then, data are definitively available in the electronic Italian Registry. A dedicated staff (informatics and ophthalmologists) are working in the project. Results: Since October 2002 and up to November 2003, Italian ophthalmologists inserted in the database 1750 patients'data. Every week the data are extracted to be analyzed and inserted in graphics. Every three months a report is electronically sent to the Regional responsible ophthalmologists. Most important data up to now; open trauma: 18% closed trauma: 82%. Age of patients: 0–9 yrs: 9%, 10–19 yrs: 12%, 20–29 yrs: 18%, 30–39 yrs: 17%, 40–49 yrs: 17%, 50–59 yrs: 11%, 60–69 yrs: 9%, > 70 yrs: 7%. Place of trauma: domestic 38%, working 26%, road 13%, sporting 10%, other place 7%, unknown 6%. Conclusions: The Italian Eye Injury Registry is quickly growing up. One of the reason of the success is the little number of medical data which at first have to be inserted in the database. Immediate access to all data allows quick statistical analysis. All data will be used for medical preventive and social purposes. Access to the system, acceptability (degree of users' satisfaction), data quality transfer, and cost/benefit evaluation of this database are evaluated good. A link with other foreign registry is desirable.

Keywords: trauma • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: treatment/prevention assessment/controlled clinical trials