Ocular injury in hurling

Abstract

In this study, the authors describe the clinical characteristics of ocular injuries sustained in hurling in the south of Ireland and to investigate reasons for nonuse of protective headgear and eye wear. The case notes were reviewed of 310 patients who attended Cork University Hospital or Waterford Regional Hospital between January 1, 1994 and December 31, 2002 with ocular injuries sustained during a hurling match. A confidential questionnaire on reasons for nonuse of protective headgear and eye wear was completed by 130 players. Hurling related eye injuries occurred most commonly in young men. Fifty-two patients (17%) required hospital admission, with hyphema accounting for 71% of admissions. Ten injuries required intraocular surgical intervention: retinal detachment repair (five); macular hole surgery (one); repair of partial thickness corneal laceration (one); repair of globe perforation (one); enucleation (one); trabeculectomy for post-traumatic glaucoma (one). Fourteen eyes (4.5%) had a final best- corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of <6/12 and six (2%) had BCVA <3/60. In the survey, 63 players (48.5%) reported wearing no protective facemask while playing hurling. Impairment of vision was the most common reason cited for nonuse. Hurling related injury is a significant, and preventable, cause of ocular morbidity in young men in Ireland. The routine use of appropriate protective headgear and faceguards would result in a dramatic reduction in the incidence and severity of these injuries, and should be mandatory.—Hans E. Grossniklaus