Ocular Injuries From Drive-by Paintball Shootings

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Trauma Surgery
• Public Health

Background:

• Paintball is a recreational activity with inherent risks of ocular injury.
• Drive-by paintball shootings, used as assault weapons, pose a significant threat to vision.
• Previous literature may underestimate the severity of paintball-induced ocular trauma.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize ocular injuries resulting from drive-by paintball shootings.
• To assess the severity of these injuries, clinical management, and visual outcomes.
• To emphasize the potential for devastating visual consequences.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective, interventional case series.
• Analysis of patients treated for paintball-induced ocular injuries.
• Evaluation of clinical data including visual acuity, injury type, and surgical interventions.

Main Results:

• Twenty patients presented with unilateral ocular injuries from paintball shootings.
• 70% had initial visual acuity of counting fingers or worse; 30% sustained ruptured globes.
• 15% required evisceration, and 5 patients had no light perception at follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Paintball-induced ocular trauma can be severe, exceeding previous reports.
• Paintball guns used as assault weapons can cause devastating eye injuries.
• The use of paintball guns in unregulated settings warrants further scrutiny due to potential harm.