Changing Trends in Paintball Sport–Related Ocular Injuries

Abstract

To describe the type and severity of ocular injuries caused by paintballs, to summarize the outcomes, to determine if the injury occurred in a commercial or noncommercial setting, to compare the number of injuries in each setting as a function of time, and to ascertain whether eye-protective devices were worn and why they were removed. Design: Retrospective analysis of 35 patients who sustained ocular injuries caused by paintballs and underwent evaluation and treatment at an eye hospital from January 1, 1985, to September 30, 1998. Thirty-five eyes of 35 patients underwent a complete ocular examination, diagnostic testing, and surgical intervention when indicated. Results: All patients were male (average age, 22 years). Twenty-six patients (74%) had an initial visual acuity of 20/200 or worse, and visual acuity in 16 (46%) remained 20/200 or worse on follow-up (range, 2 weeks to 22 months). Traumatic hyphema was seen in 21 patients (60%). Twenty-two patients (63%) had access to goggles, 7 (33%) of whom removed them due to fogging before the injury. Injuries sustained after 1995 were 5.8 times (relative risk, 5.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.5-22.4) more likely to occur during a noncommercial war game than those occurring in 1995 or before. Conclusions: As the popularity of war games increases, so does the potential for serious ocular injury caused by paint pellet guns. Most injuries seen after 1995 occurred in noncommercial war game settings, where the use of eye-protective devices is not required. Industry standards for eye protection have been developed recently and should be implemented.

Ocular findings following trauma from paintball sports

“…3,4 With 9.64 million paintball participants in the United States alone, paintball is the third most popular 'extreme' sport, behind inline skating and skateboarding. 25 From 1997 to 2001, an estimated 11 998 people aged 7 years and older with paintball game related injuries were treated in hospital emergency departments for an average annual rate of 4.5 per 10 000 participants.…”

Paintball Injuries in Children: More Than Meets the Eye

“…Many of the participants started the game with eye protection but removed them because of fogging, discomfort, or paint on the lens or had the goggles accidentally dislodged while running. 2,3,5,6,12,14,16,17,19 In 1987, Martin and Magolan 4 reported the first case of eye injury despite the use of goggles. Their patient's goggles were driven into the globe from the force of impact of the paintball.…”

“…In 2000, Fineman et al 16 published an analysis of 35 patients with paintball-related ocular injuries. They found that injuries sustained after 1995 were 5.8 times more likely to have occurred at a noncommercial site as compared with injuries sustained before 1995.…”

“…They found that injuries sustained after 1995 were 5.8 times more likely to have occurred at a noncommercial site as compared with injuries sustained before 1995. 16 The likely implication is that participants do not wear eye protection as frequently or consistently at noncommercial sites.…”

“…Later reports described eye protection failure 4,6,7,9,11,13 and drive-by shootings. 16 Recent experience suggests that paintball injuries are becoming more of a pediatric problem than previously reported. The objectives of this study are to analyze national data to estimate the scope of pediatric paintball injuries and to review existing literature regarding ocular injuries.…”