Ocular laser exposure incident reporting.

Background: Advances in laser technology are providing opportunities for new laser applications. Once the nearly exclusive province of scientists and the military, lasers are finding increasingly widespread applications in modern life. Along with this increase in applications, it is reasonable to expect a concomitant increase in the number of accidents and occasions of purposeful misuse, resulting in excessive ocular exposures to laser radiation.

Methods: A survey was conducted of databases currently collecting laser exposure and injury information. Those found were then evaluated for content, organization, and ease of use.

Results: A number of laser injury databases, privately and publicly funded, were found Overall, information on laser-associated injuries was quite fragmented, showing significant variability in format and content.

Conclusions: Public health policy development and clinical management of eye injuries would benefit from a single, comprehensive, and easily accessible database/information tool such as the U.S. Army's Laser Accident and Incident Registry.