Citation

Farr AK, Fekrat S. Int. Ophthalmol. 1998; 22(3): 169-173.

Affiliation

Department of Ophthalmology, The Zanvyl Krieger Children's Eye Center, The Wilmer Eye Institute, Baltimore, MD 21287-9028, USA. afarr@jhmi.edu

Copyright

(Copyright © 1998, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

10548462

Abstract

AIMS: This study identifies the various types of ocular injuries sustained after blunt trauma with a paintball fired from a paintball gun. METHODS: We report two patients who sustained injury to an eye after being shot with a paintball and review similar cases presented in the world literature. The type of injury sustained and the final visual acuity obtained after a paintball hit to the eye are examined. RESULTS: The two boys presented were hit in the eye with a paintball resulting in lens subluxation, hyphema formation, and angle recession. Cataract extraction was required in both cases. One boy also had an optic neuropathy and a choroidal rupture. A review of the literature reveals a variety of injuries occur after a paintball hit to the eye. In some of the cases, the damage to the eye has led to loss of vision and at times loss of the eye. CONCLUSIONS: Paintball guns can cause devastating ocular injuries. Wearing protective eye and face gear during this game is essential. We recommend that an anti-fog face mask with a one-piece polycarbonate eye shield be worn by those participating in paintball games.