Eye injury from electrical weapon probes: Mechanisms and treatment
Mark W Kroll1, Mollie B Ritter2, Eric A Kennedy3
1Biomedical Engineering, University of Minnesota, United States; California Polytechnical Institute, United States.
Purpose:
While generally reducing morbidity and mortality, TASER® electrical weapons have risks associated with their usage, including burn injuries and head and cervical trauma associated with uncontrolled falls. The primary non-fatal complications appear to be significant eye injury but no analysis of the mechanisms or suggested treatments has been published.
Methods:
We used a biomechanical model to predict the risk of eye injury as a function of distance from the weapon muzzle to the eye. We compared our model results to recently published epidemiological findings. We also describe the typical presentation and suggest treatment options.
Results:
The globe rupture model predicted that a globe rupture can be expected (50% risk) when the eye is within 6 m of the muzzle and decreases rapidly beyond that. This critical distance is 9 m for lens and retinal damage which is approximately the range of the most common probe cartridges. Beyond 9 m, hyphema is expected along with a perforation by the dart portion of the probe. Our prediction of globe rupture out to 6 m (out of a typical range of 9 m) is consistent with the published risk of enucleation or unilateral blindness being 69 ± 18%, with an eye penetration.
Conclusions:
Significant eye injury is expected from a penetration by an electrical weapon probe at close range. The risk decreases rapidly at extended distances from the muzzle. Not all penetrating globe injuries from electrical weapon probes will result in blindness.
Insights
TASER electrical weapon probes pose a significant risk of eye injury, including globe rupture, within 6 meters. Risk decreases with distance, but close-range penetration can cause severe ocular trauma.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Forensic Science
- Biomedical Engineering
Background:
- TASER electrical weapons reduce morbidity and mortality but carry risks like burns and trauma.
- Significant eye injury is a primary non-fatal complication of TASER use.
- Previous research lacks analysis of eye injury mechanisms and treatments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the risk of eye injury from TASER electrical weapons.
- To predict eye injury risk based on distance from the weapon muzzle.
- To describe typical presentations and suggest treatments for TASER-related eye injuries.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a biomechanical model to predict eye injury risk.
- Correlated model predictions with epidemiological findings.
- Described clinical presentations and proposed treatment options.
Main Results:
- Globe rupture risk is 50% within 6 meters of the TASER muzzle.
- Lens and retinal damage risk extends to 9 meters, the typical probe range.
- Penetration beyond 9 meters can cause hyphema and globe perforation.
Conclusions:
- TASER probes cause significant eye injury at close range.
- Eye injury risk diminishes rapidly with increased distance.
- Not all penetrating globe injuries from TASER probes result in blindness.
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