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Ocular injuries in battered women
S R Beck1, S L Freitag, N Singer
1Wills Eye Hospital and Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA.
Ophthalmology
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Ophthalmologists frequently encounter victims of domestic violence in eye emergency departments, yet these cases often go unrecognized. Increased awareness and appropriate action are crucial for identifying and supporting battered women.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Public Health
- Trauma Care
Background:
- Domestic violence is a significant public health issue.
- Victims of domestic violence often present with head and neck injuries.
- Ophthalmologists may be the first point of contact for recognizing these injuries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of battered women presenting to an eye emergency department.
- To raise ophthalmologists' awareness of unrecognized domestic violence victims.
- To emphasize the role of ophthalmologists in identifying and managing these cases.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 79 emergency room charts at a large urban eye center over six months.
- Identification of injuries resulting from domestic violence.
- Analysis of patient demographics and injury types.
Main Results:
- Eighteen cases of domestic violence were definitively identified; abuse was suspected in 61 cases.
- Patient ages ranged from 15 to 90 years.
- Common injuries included lacerations, contusions, hyphemas, and ruptured globes; six patients required hospitalization.
Conclusions:
- Many domestic violence victims presenting with eye injuries go unrecognized by physicians.
- Ophthalmologists are well-positioned to identify these injuries due to the prevalence of head and neck trauma.
- A high index of suspicion, proper documentation, and social service referrals are essential for ophthalmologists.