Abstract
Purpose :
To characterize the sequela of ocular paintball injuries from drive-by shootings with a focus on the range and severity of injuries sustained, clinical management, and visual outcomes.
Methods :
Retrospective analysis of 20 patients who suffered ocular paintball injuries from drive-by shootings and were evaluated at a tertiary medical center from July 18, 2020, until November 8, 2021.
Results :
Mean follow-up interval was 1.7 months from the time of initial evaluation (range: 0 days - 11.4 months). The average age of patient at the time of presentation was 36.6 years (range: 13 - 64 years-old). Fourteen patients (70%) had an initial visual acuity (VA) of hand-motion (HM) or worse. Six patients (30%) suffered ruptured globe injuries requiring urgent surgical repair, of whom three (15%) underwent subsequent evisceration. Nine patients (45%) presented with vitreous hemorrhage, eight (40%) with traumatic hyphema, four (20%) with iridodialysis, three (15%) with traumatic cataract, two (10%) with choroidal rupture, and one (5%) with a retinal tear/detachment. Fourteen patients (70%) suffered two or more ocular injuries. Seventeen ocular surgeries were performed on eleven patients (55%) at our institution with three patients referred to in-network providers for definitive surgical management. A total to fourteen patients (70%) suffered ocular injuries requiring surgical intervention. Final VA was NLP in five patients (25%).
Conclusions :
The severity of injury following paintball-induced ocular trauma is higher in this case series than what has previously been reported in the literature. To our knowledge this is the first study to date that specifically characterizes ocular paintball injuries suffered from drive-by shootings where paintball projectiles were used as a means to cause intentional harm. The use of paintballs and paintball guns in unregulated settings bears further scrutiny given their potential to cause devastating ocular injury.
This abstract was presented at the 2022 ARVO Annual Meeting, held in Denver, CO, May 1-4, 2022, and virtually.