Aspects of ocular war injuries

Abstract

Eye injuries are common in warfare with an incidence of approximately 10%. They carry a high morbidity, as they can determine an injured person’s future independence and employability. The majority are a combination of primary and secondary blast mechanisms, though tertiary and quaternary types are common. There is some evidence of quinary types from toxic elements from the explosion. Eye protection significantly reduces the incidence and severity of ballistic eye injury but does not eliminate it. Thermal ocular burns are relatively common in warfare. The treatment goal is to minimise limbal stem cell damage. Human amniotic membrane can be used to promote this. Retinal and optic nerve injury following closed eye trauma are currently untreatable, but neuroprotective and neuroregenerative agents are being developed to improve outcomes. Sensory substitution of the sense of touch for sight can help orientate blinded individual in their surroundings. Ophthalmology has a major impact on the lives of the war wounded.