Sports-Related Eye Injuries

Sports-Related Eye Injuries

Sports-Related Eye Injuries

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Sports Eye Trauma: Scope & Risks - Ballpark Figures

  • Significant cause of preventable vision loss; sports contribute to a large percentage of all eye injuries, potentially up to 40%.
  • Common Sports & Injury Patterns (India):
    • Cricket: Ball (severe blunt trauma - hyphema, orbital #, retinal detachment); Bails/wickets (penetrating trauma).
    • Badminton: Shuttlecock (blunt trauma, hyphema).
    • Football: Ball/Limbs (blunt trauma, periorbital hematoma, orbital #).
    • Hockey: Ball/Stick (severe blunt/penetrating trauma).
    • Gilli-danda: Gilli (high-velocity projectile - penetrating/perforating injuries).
  • High-Risk Groups: Children & young adults (peak incidence 10-30 years).
  • Key Risk Factors:
    • Lack of/improper protective eyewear (primary modifiable factor).
    • Small, high-velocity projectiles.
    • Direct physical contact.

⭐ Cricket ball injuries are notorious for severe blunt trauma, often leading to hyphema or orbital fractures.

Common Sports Injuries: Types & How - Damage Report

FeatureClosed Globe InjuryOpen Globe Injury
MechanismBlunt trauma (coup-contrecoup)Sharp trauma, high-velocity projectile
Globe WallIntactFull-thickness defect
ExamplesHyphema, commotio retinae, blowout #, lens subluxation, iridodialysis, retinal detachmentGlobe rupture, penetrating/perforating, IOFB
  • Hyphema: Blood in anterior chamber (AC). Common: shuttlecock injury.
    • Grading: Grade I (<1/3 AC), Grade II (1/3-1/2 AC), Grade III (>1/2 AC), Grade IV (total/8-ball).
  • Orbital Blowout Fracture: Floor/medial wall. Common: ball impact.
    • 📌 Signs: D.I.E. (Diplopia, Infraorbital anesthesia, Enophthalmos).
  • Corneal Abrasion: Superficial epithelial defect. Common: finger poke.

Coronal CT showing left orbital blowout fracture

⭐ Blowout fractures most commonly involve the orbital floor due to its structural weakness, leading to potential entrapment of inferior rectus muscle.

Diagnosis in Action: Eye Exam Steps - Detective Work

  • History: Mechanism (blunt/penetrating), symptoms (pain, ↓vision, diplopia), prior eye Hx, tetanus, eyewear.
  • Examination (Systematic):
    • Visual Acuity (pinhole).
    • External: Lids, adnexa, proptosis, enophthalmos, crepitus.
    • Pupils: RAPD, shape, size, reactivity.
    • Motility: Restrictions, diplopia.
    • IOP: Defer if open globe.
    • Slit-lamp: Anterior segment; Seidel test (+ve = perforation).
    • Fundoscopy: Posterior segment (vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment/tears).
  • Key Signs:
    • Open Globe: Teardrop pupil, +ve Seidel, 360° SCH, uveal prolapse.
    • Blowout Fx: Restricted EOM, infraorbital anesthesia.
    • Blackball hyphema.
  • Investigations: B-scan (opaque media), CT scan (orbital #, IOFB).

Blowout fracture of orbital floor

⭐ RAPD with good VA suggests significant optic nerve/retinal damage.

Treatment & Safety: Saving Sight - Shield & Heal

  • Immediate/First Aid
    • DOs: Rigid shield, rest, head up 30-45°.
    • DON'Ts: NO pressure patch (open globe), NO rubbing, NO removing foreign body, NO food/drink if surgery.
  • Management Highlights
    • Corneal Abrasion: Topical antibiotics, cycloplegics. NO STEROIDS if infection.
    • Traumatic Hyphema: Bed rest, head up 30-45°, cycloplegics, steroids, IOP control. Surgery: total, uncontrolled IOP, corneal stain, persistent Grade II-IV >5-7d.
-   Orbital Blowout: Nasal decongestants, oral antibiotics. No nose blowing. Surgery: diplopia, enophthalmos >**2mm**, large fracture, entrapment.
-   Open Globe Injury: EMERGENCY! Rigid shield, NPO, IV Abx, antiemetics, tetanus. Surgery ASAP (<**24**h). 📌 SHIELD N' PRAY (Shield, NPO, Pain relief, Refer, Antiemetics/Abx, Tetanus).
  • Prevention
    • Protective eyewear (polycarbonate, ASTM F803).
    • Patient education.
    • Modifying sports rules.

Anatomy of protective sports eyewear

⭐ Pressure patching is contraindicated in suspected penetrating eye injuries; may extrude intraocular contents.

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Blunt trauma is the predominant mechanism in sports-related eye injuries.
  • Hyphema is common, carrying risks of re-bleeding and secondary glaucoma.
  • Orbital blowout fractures, typically the inferior wall, may cause diplopia and enophthalmos.
  • Commotio retinae (retinal bruising) can lead to transient or permanent vision impairment.
  • Protective eyewear is paramount for prevention, especially in sports like squash, hockey, and cricket.
  • Always rule out open globe injury in cases of significant trauma or uveal prolapse.
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Practice Questions: Sports-Related Eye Injuries

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A boy presents with diplopia and restriction of eye movements following blunt trauma to his eye. X-ray reveals blow out fracture of orbit. Which part of orbit is most likely damaged?

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Flashcards: Sports-Related Eye Injuries

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Blunt trauma is associated with _____ cataract and vossius ring

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Blunt trauma is associated with _____ cataract and vossius ring

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