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Ocular injuries incurred by Israeli defense forces during low-intensity conflicts
Daphna Prat1, Erez Tsumi2, Shiran Madgar1
1Goldschleger Eye Institute, Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, Israel, affiliated to the Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Injury
|September 25, 2020
Summary
Ocular injuries are frequent in low-intensity conflicts, with blast injuries being most common. Mandatory use of protective eyewear is crucial for reducing these soldier injuries.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Military Medicine
- Trauma Surgery
Background:
- Ocular injuries pose a significant risk to soldiers in low-intensity conflicts.
- Understanding injury patterns and the efficacy of protective measures is vital for soldier safety.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document the types of eye injuries sustained by Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers.
- To assess the effectiveness of protective eyewear in preventing ocular trauma.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of ocular injury data from IDF soldiers (1998-2017).
- Inclusion of data from two tertiary medical centers and military trauma registry.
- Evaluation of injury types, protective eyewear use, and visual outcomes.
Main Results:
- Blast injuries (56%) were the most common cause of ocular trauma in 126 male soldiers.
- Protective eyewear use correlated with better initial visual acuity and lower injury rates in head/neck trauma patients.
- Despite interventions, 39% of soldiers experienced poor visual outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Ocular injuries are a common and serious concern in low-intensity warfare.
- Protective eyewear significantly mitigates the risk and severity of eye injuries in soldiers.
- Mandatory implementation of protective eyewear is recommended to enhance soldier eye safety.