Navigation Links
Paintballs can cause 'devastating' eye injuries
Date:1/15/2009

Philadelphia, 15 January 2009 Paintballs can cause severe and 'visually devastating' eye injuries, especially when used in unsupervised settings without proper eye protection, reports a study in the February issue of the American Journal of Ophthalmology (www.AJO.com), published by Elsevier.

"Eye injuries secondary to high-velocity paintballs can cause tremendous damage to vital ocular structures often requiring extensive surgical intervention," comments Dr. Kyle J. Alliman of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine. "Unfortunately, visual loss is often permanent."

Dr. Alliman and colleagues analyzed the characteristics and outcomes of 36 patients treated for paintball injuries to the eye at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute between 1998 and 2005. The patients were mainly young men, average age 21 years.

The injuries were often quite severe, including rupture of the eyeball in 28 percent of patients and detached retina in 19 percent. Surgery was required in 81 percent of patientsincluding eventual removal of the eye (enucleation) in 22 percent. Even when the eye was saved, many patients had permanent visual loss. Overall, near-normal vision (20/40 or better) was restored in only 36 percent of eyes.

All of the patients were injured when using paintballs in a "non-recreational, uncontrolled setting," according to Dr. Alliman. None of the injuries occurred in formal, sponsored event. In all but one of the 36 cases, the patient was not wearing any type of eye protection when the injury occurred.

Paintball has become a popular recreational activity, with an estimated 10 million participants in the United States alone. The risk of paintball-related eye injuries has long been recognized. Organizers of formal paintball games require eye protection and education, which has significantly reduced the risk of severe eye injuries.

The researchers hope their study will draw atte
'/>"/>

Contact: Maureen Hunter
m.hunter@elsevier.com
215-239-3671
Elsevier
Source:Eurekalert

0

GOOD

Page: 1 2

Related medicine news :

1. American Lung Association Report Card Flunks Federal Government and Most States for Neglecting to Prevent Tobacco Caused Illness
2. LegalView Informs Parents of Crib Recall Following Several Infant Deaths Caused by Asphyxiation from Improper Crib Mechanisms
3. Welsh Laboratory Discovers Natural Antidote for Sleep Disturbance Caused by Cell Phones; Don't Disturb Me! Asphalia for Natural Sleep
4. Unnecessary Spinal Surgery Will Waste Billions of Dollars in 2009 and Patients Will Continue to Suffer Unless the Primary Cause of Most Back Pain is Treated, Says Pain Specialist Norman Marcus, M.D.
5. Nanotechnology Causes Disruption - Cross Industry
6. Inexpensive Test Can Help Prevent Lung Cancer Caused By Radon
7. Childhood Obesity May Cause Thyroid Problems
8. Gut instinct: Salmonella bacterias molecular tactics to cause illness
9. Decreased activity of basal ganglia is the main cause of abnormal muscle constrictions in dystonia
10. UBC researchers discover gene mutation that causes eye cancer
11. Dementia Often Missed as Cause of Death
Post Your Comments:
*Name:
*Comment:
*Email: