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Penetrating eye injury in war
J W Biehl1, J Valdez, R K Hemady
1Anesthesia Service, Veterans Administration Medical Center, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Military Medicine
|December 1, 1999
Summary
Penetrating eye injuries in warfare are rising, with modern surgery offering limited advances. Development of protective eye armor is crucial for both military and civilian populations facing similar threats.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Military Medicine
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Penetrating eye injuries represent a growing percentage of combat injuries.
- Future warfare may see increased eye injuries due to advanced weaponry like fragmentation and laser weapons.
- Civilian penetrating eye injuries increasingly resemble the military model.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze trends in penetrating eye injuries in military contexts.
- To evaluate the impact of modern surgical techniques on prognosis.
- To highlight the need for advanced eye protection.
Main Methods:
- Review of combat injury data, including Operations Desert Storm/Shield and the Iran-Iraq War.
- Analysis of ophthalmic surgical outcomes for retained foreign bodies and posterior segment injuries.
- Assessment of current and future battlefield threats to the eye.
Main Results:
- Penetrating eye injuries have significantly increased in the 21st century.
- Modern diagnostic and treatment modalities have improved prognosis for certain eye injuries.
- Advances in ophthalmic surgery have not kept pace with the rise in battlefield eye injuries.
Conclusions:
- There is an urgent need for the development of effective eye armor, such as visors, to protect against battlefield eye injuries.
- Eye protection advancements seen in civilian sportswear may offer models for military applications.
- The convergence of military and civilian penetrating eye injury patterns necessitates improved protective measures.
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