This paper is designed to establish the risk factors associated with serious occupational eye injuries so that preventive measures can be targeted at those most at risk. Few such studies have been published for the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. The incidence of these occupational eye injuries is over three times that of the non-occupational category. Present preventive measures appear to be inadequate. An association with certain socio-economic groups was found. A significantly increased incidence of penetrating eye injury was noted in farm labourers and in skilled manual labourers. The left eye was significantly more at risk of serious injury than the right eye. The paper suggests improvements which should be made, particularly in the occupational setting.