Paintball ocular injuries
Date
1999
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Health & Medical Publishing Group
Abstract
Introduction. Six cases of ocular injury following paintball injuries sustained during war games are described. A CO2-powered rifle shoots a 14 mm plastic-coated paintball at participants. The muzzle velocity of the gun is 250 ft/sec (76 m/sec). Locally manufactured paintballs are harder than the more expensive imported varieties and may account for the severity of our reported injuries. Method. Six patients presented to a retinal specialist with various ocular injuries, predominantly of the posterior pole. Results. All patients were young males. There were no cases of ocular penetration. A variety of retinal pathologies was noted, with three cases requiring surgery; however this did not significantly improve the visual outcome. Conclusions. These cases highlight the severe ocular injuries that may occur from paintball injuries. Recommendations to avoid ocular injury are made.
Description
CITATION: Kruger, L. P. & Acton, J. K. 1999. Paintball ocular injuries. South African Medical Journal, 89(3):268-268.
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
The original publication is available at http://www.samj.org.za
Keywords
Eye--Wounds and injuries, War games
Citation
Kruger, L. P. & Acton, J. K. 1999. Paintball ocular injuries. South African Medical Journal, 89(3):268-268