Paintball related ocular injuries: First case report in Saudi patients

Abstract

Paintball is a popular recreational sport. This case series describes three Saudi patients exposed to paintball ocular injuries with sever ocular trauma. Two patients developed hyphema and traumatic cataract and one patient had vitreous hemorrhage, choroidal detachment, commotio retinae and retinal tear. All patients require surgical intervention. Final best corrected visual acuity was 20/200, 20/30 and 20/50 respectively. Paintball related ocular injuries can result in severe visual loss and in most of the time requires surgical intervention. Most injuries occur in under-supervised settings and are easily preventable. Our main aim was to increase awareness among local ophthalmologists and eye professionals about this new game. Improved safety measures and appropriate public education could prevent such serious ocular injuries.

Lentes de proteção nos esportes: revisão

“…No Cricket os autores Mann e Dain sugerem considerar uma mudança de regra para encorajar o uso de medidas de segurança apropriadas e proteção pessoal dos olhos dos guardiões 29,30 . O paintball é outro esporte que causa risco significativo de trauma ocular grave 31,32 . Procedimentos de prática padrão para o paintball foram estabelecidos pela American Society for Testing and Material (ASTM), que especificam requisitos mínimos de segurança, tais como: proteção para os olhos, ouvidos e rosto.…”

“…A maioria dos ferimentos relatados aconteceu enquanto os atletas estavam sem protetores. O embaçamento foi um dos motivos pelos quais eles foram removidos pelos jogadores 31 .…”

Ocular injuries from gel blasters: not just a harmless toy

“…The popularity of simulated warfare games and tournaments has grown in recent years, with two main forms of weapon available for use 1 2. Paintball guns discharge a resin ball filled with paint which explodes on impact, whereas airsoft rifles fire a solid spherical projectile.…”

“…Paintball guns discharge a resin ball filled with paint which explodes on impact, whereas airsoft rifles fire a solid spherical projectile. They are powered by either a spring or compressed air, and have both been responsible for a range of injuries—especially blunt ocular trauma 1–5. Owing to this, protective equipment is recommended during activity, and their purchase and use is restricted in many countries where they are considered a weapon.…”