Medical Surveillance Monthly Report (MSMR). Volume 5, Number 6, August/September 1999
Abstract
The nature and severity of eye injuries depend on physical characteristics of impacting objects (e.g., mass, size, speed, hardness, sharpness), locations of impacts, and predispositions of the eye to various injuries. Corneal abrasions are the most common eye injury. They occur when small foreign objects (e.g., sand, twigs, wood shavings, metal particles) scratch the cornea. Objects with more momentum and sharpness can lacerate eyes or eyelids and create open wounds. Blunt objects (e.g., fists, baseballs) that are larger than orbital openings can cause periocular contusions ("black eyes"). Traumatic encounters with blunt objects can fracture the orbital floor, the thin bone beneath the eye. Serious blows to the head can injure cranial nerves, which control eye movements, or the optic nerve, which is essential to vision. Finally, fire, chemicals (e.g., antifreeze, household cleaners, industrial and laboratory reagents), and radiation (e.g., welding arcs, lasers) can burn external or internal structures of the eye. Many occupational, recreational, and military activities are inherently hazardous to the eyes.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA497154
Entities
People
- John Brundage
- Kimmie F. Kohlhase
- Mark V Rubertone
- Robert F. DeFraites
Organizations
- Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center