Sport-related ocular trauma in Vancouver, British Columbia: Not the usual suspects

Background: Vision loss due to eye injury has a significant effect on quality of life. In the US, trauma to the ocular structures is one of the most common causes of blindness, second only to cataracts, and 15% of these injuries occur during baseball, basketball, racquetball, football, and soccer activities. A study was proposed to establish the chief sporting causes of traumatic eye injury in Vancouver, BC, and to determine if individuals could be encouraged to use eye protection for high-risk sports. Methods: The study was conducted using data for patients with ocular trauma referred to the Vancouver General Hospital Eye Care Centre in 2013. Sport-related cases were identified in a retrospective chart review and follow-up visits were arranged. Patient characteristics, cause of injury, visual function, and ocular diagnosis were analyzed. A subgroup of patients was surveyed to assess their attitudes toward the use of eye protection. Results: Of 1301 charts reviewed, 58 were found to describe sport-related traumatic eye injuries (4.45%) sustained in 23 activities. The most common sports leading to injury were soccer and badminton. The majority of patients with badminton-induced injuries felt that eye protection would have prevented their injuries, yet only a minority agreed that the use of eye protection for the sport should be encouraged. Conclusions: Soccer and badminton were the chief causes of sport-related injury seen at the Vancouver General Hospital Eye Care Centre in 2013. All badminton-induced injuries resulted in traumatic hyphema. Primary care physicians should be confident in managing minor ocular trauma but be aware of potential complications and not hesitate to contact an ophthalmologist should they have concerns. Mandating eye protection for youth, normalizing the use of protective eyewear, and educating those participating in high-risk sporting activities should be considered to reduce ocular trauma.