Sports related ocular injuries introduction Practicing sports is amongst the most common causes of eye injury, especially amongst children and young adults.
Sports related ocular injuries introduction Practicing sports is amongst the most common causes of eye injury, especially amongst children and young adults. As sports medicine providers, it is likely you will encounter an injury involving the eye or orbit while covering a sporting event and it is important to be comfortable with this type of injury. This post is not an inclusive list but serves to summarize the most common injuries encountered.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that the annual rate of presentation to the emergency department (ED) for all-cause ocular injury is approximately 37.6 per 10 000 population. Other estimates show one visit to an emergency department every 13 seconds due to an eye injury. Eye injuries can have long-term sequelae that affect quality of life for years and can predispose the individual to further injury, depression, and systemic disease.
Trauma to the eye may occur by blunt, penetrating, or perforating mechanisms. Blunt injuries refer to contusions or forces that strike an intact globe. Penetrating injuries occur when there is a single laceration to the eye causing an open globe, and perforating injuries occur when 2 full-thickness lacerations (entrance and exit) are present and are usually caused by a sharp object.
It is important for providers to be aware which of these injuries are more likely due to the objects used to play certain games. Objects above 5 cm usually cause more blunt injuries. Pie chart showing different sports causing eye injuries.
Sports-related eye injuries can be classified using the Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology (Fig. This classification system uses the entire globe as the tissue of reference and has been endorsed by various societies of ocular trauma. In the system, an eye injury is first classified as either a closed globe injury or an open globe injury.
If you are experiencing symptoms that may be related to sports related ocular injuries, it is important to see a sports medicine physician. Early evaluation and treatment typically lead to better outcomes. Do not ignore pain or symptoms that are limiting your activity.
*This article is for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider.*
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