The Halifax disaster (1917): eye injuries and their care

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Disaster Medicine
• Trauma Surgery

Background:

• Accidental and man-made explosions necessitate advancements in emergency medical care.
• The 1917 Halifax Explosion resulted in a significant number of penetrating eye injuries.

Observation:

• Archived documents and literature review examined treatments for eye injuries from the Halifax Explosion.
• Twelve ophthalmologists treated 592 individuals with eye injuries, performing 249 enucleations.
• Shattered glass was the primary cause of the majority of eye injuries.

Findings:

• Sympathetic ophthalmia was a significant concern, often leading to enucleation.
• The sheer volume and severity of eye injuries precluded lengthy eye-saving procedures.
• Enucleation was frequently the only treatment option available.

Implications:

• The event highlights the critical need for robust emergency response protocols for mass casualty incidents.
• Long-term support, including rehabilitation and pensions, was established for visually impaired survivors.
• Understanding historical mass eye trauma informs current and future disaster preparedness in ophthalmology.