Spectacle-induced ocular trauma: an unusual mechanism

To report an unusual, spectacle-related injury.

A 16-year-old boy wearing spectacles with polycarbonate lenses presented with an unusual, spectacle-related injury. Impact with the ball during a ball sport (cricket) led to extreme torsion of the frame with resultant direct blunt trauma to the right eye by the spectacle arm. On examination, the patient had a 10 x 10-mm area of conjunctivalized scleral dehiscence superiorly in Zones 2 and 3, with uveal prolapse. Superior retinal detachment was also noted.

Patient underwent wound repair with a scleral patch graft with transscleral cryotherapy and sulfur hexafluoride injection.

Although increased impact resistance of newer spectacle lens materials is assumed to reduce the incidence of ocular trauma, such unusual mechanisms may still lead to severe ocular trauma. We report this case to highlight an unusual mechanism of spectacle injury, hitherto unreported, and to show the continued need for use of eye protection while wearing spectacles.