Posterior Segment Injuries Due To Cricket Ball Impact

Mukesh Porwal

Retina Hospital, Rajkot, India

Purpose:
Clinical data collected over a period of two years from thirty seven (37) consecutive patients with injury to eye due to impact with a ball in street cricket was analyzed.

Methods:
Each injury was prospectively recorded with a detailed history, slit-lamp examination, non-contact tonometry, indirect ophthalmoscopy and ultrasonography (if indicated) for how the trauma occurred, how soon the patient presented, the initial visual status, primary site of involvement, intraocular pressure, nature of posterior segment involvement, requirement of imaging, nature of intervention required, and final visual status after three months.

Results:
Analysis revealed 83.8% cricket ball impact injuries to the eye in the street occurred to passers-by, 78.3% presented within one week, 73% presented with a visual acuity between 6/24 and 6/60, 64.9% had posterior segment involvement with choroidal tears being the main pathology, 40.5% eyes revealed secondary glaucoma, 24.3% needed an ultrasonography, 16.2% needed minor intervention while 40.5% required major posterior segment surgery, improvement in visual acuity at three months was seen in only 46%.

Conclusions:
Direct impact to the eye with a cricket ball can be dangerous for by-standers leading to a variety of ocular injuries mainly to its posterior segment leading to significant visual morbidity even after treatment. Adequate awareness and safety precautions for bystanders and passers-by is advisable wherever roadside cricket is played.