Abstract
Forty-one consecutive cases of ocular injury related to air gun pellets occurring over a ten year period have been reviewed retrospectively. The male to female ratio was 7:1 and the average age was fifteen years. Hyphaema was the most common injury (78%) while the main cause of poor final visual outcome was retinal detachment. Thirty-eight percent of the involved eyes had a final corrected visual acuity of less than 6/60 including four eyes (10%) which were enucleated following severe perforating injuries. Neither sympathetic ophthalmitis nor lead poisoning was detected in this study. The fact that these injuries are largely of an accidental nature, predominantly involve young people and appear to be occurring more frequently suggests that present legislation does not offer adequate protection. The authors suggest that the best method of prevention is through a public education campaign aimed at children and their parents.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
References
Batch AJG : The air rifle: A dangerous weapon. Br Med J 1981; 282: 1834.
Bowen DI and Magauran DM . Ocular injuries caused by Airgun Pellets: An Analysis of 105 Cases. Br Med J 1973; 1: 333–7.
Kreshon MJ . Eye injuries due to BB-guns. Am J Ophthalmol 1964; 58: 858–61.
Young DW and Little JM . Pellet-gun eye injuries. Can J Ophthalmol 1985; 20: 9–10.
Shaw MDM and Galbraith S . Penetrating airgun injuries of the head. Br J Surg 1977; 64: 221–4.
Sternberg P . De Juan E, Green WR, Hirst LW, Sommer A. Ocular BB injuries. Ophthalmology 1984; 91: 1269–77.
Delori F ., Pomerantzeff O ., Cox MS . Perforation of the globe under high speed impact; its relation to contusion injuries. Invest Ophthalmol 1969; 8: 290–301.
Preston JD . Review of standard consumer safety specification for non-powder guns. Engineering Sciencies CPSC, Washington DC. (1980)
Jacobs NA and Morgan LM . On the management of retained airgun pellets a survey of 11 orbital cases. Br J Ophthalmol 1988; 72: 97–100.
Machle W . Lead poisoning following airgun shot injuries. J Am Med Ass 1940; 115: 1536–9.
De Juan E, Sternberg P, Michels RG . Penetrating ocular injuries: Types of injuries and visual results. Ophthalmology 1983; 90: 1318–22.
Brinton GS, Aaberg TM, Reeser FH et al. Surgical results in ocular trauma involving the posterior segment. Am J Ophthalmol 1982; 93: 271–8.
Firearm Act, 1937. Stones Justices Manual, Vol 1, pg 10. Butterworth, London 1965.
Airguns and Shotguns Act, 1962. Stones Justices Manual, Vol 1, pg 3. Butterworth, London 1965.
Guthkelch AN . Apparently trivial wounds of the eyelids with intracranial damage. Br Med J 1960; 2: 842–4.
Johnston S . Perforating eye injuries: A five year study. Trans Ophthalmol Soc UK 1971; 91: 895–921.
George Robertson MP . Personal Communication, House of Commons, Westminster, London, October 1989.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Sharif, K., McGhee, C. & Tomlinson, R. Ocular trauma caused by airgun pellets: A ten year survey. Eye 4, 855–860 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.1990.136
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/eye.1990.136
This article is cited by
-
Hybrid 20/23-gauge vitrectomy in a patient with retained intraocular air-gun pellet
Spektrum der Augenheilkunde (2018)
-
Ocular air gun injuries: a one-year surveillance study in the UK and Eire (BOSU). 2001–2002.
Eye (2009)