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Penetrating eye injuries from writing instruments
Simon P Kelly1, Graham Mb Reeves
1The Royal Bolton Hospital, Bolton, UK.
Clinical Ophthalmology (Auckland, N.Z.)
|January 20, 2012
Summary
Writing instruments like pens and pencils cause thousands of eye injuries annually in the UK. Prompt referral is crucial for suspected ocular penetration, especially from injuries involving children.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Writing instruments are common household objects.
- Ocular injuries from these objects can be severe.
Observation:
- The study analyzed UK national trauma data (2000-2002).
- Four cases of ocular penetrating injury from pens and pencils were examined.
- Children were frequently involved in these incidents.
Findings:
- An estimated 748 ocular pen injuries and 892 ocular pencil injuries occurred annually in the UK.
- Injuries were of undetermined severity.
- No eye injuries were reported from swords or fencing foils.
Implications:
- Ocular perforation can occur from thrown writing instruments, particularly by children.
- Policy and prevention strategies are needed.
- Healthcare professionals should maintain a low threshold for referring patients with suspected ocular penetration, even from common objects.
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