[Eye injuries caused by rotating wire brushes]

Blunt or penetrating eye injuries are quite common in industry. Workers with high risk of eye trauma do not always wear safety goggles.

This is a report on three patients with wire brush eye injury who presented in our department over a 4 month period.

In all 3 cases, the wire brush penetrated the cornea, the iris and the lens. In one case, an endophthalmitis developed, and despite appropriate treatment (including surgeries), the final visual outcome was poor.

Eye injuries from rotating wire brushes should be treated with caution, as there is a definite risk of developing endophthalmitis. Safety goggles are recommended for the prevention of such injuries.