Incidence and severity of ocular and adnexal injuries during the Second Lebanon War among Israeli soldiers and civilians

Abstract

The incidence and severity of ocular and adnexal injuries among military personnel during the Second Lebanon War were consistent with previous reports from American sources of ocular injuries sustained in Iraq and Afghanistan. The rates of ocular injury associated with wartime events sustained by civilians has not been investigated before, and it was relatively low, probably as a result of stringent government-mandated building regulations for passive defense that are discussed.

Eye injury in the Israeli Defense Force: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”

“…In Yom Kippur war, 1973, ocular injuries were recorded in 6.7% of all casualties [10] and the same rate 6.8% was noted [11] in the first Lebanon war. In the second Lebanon war in 2006, Israel's last major high intensity conflict, ocular injury rate was 8% [2]. The ocular injury rate peaked at 11% during Operation ''Cast Lead'' in 2008 (unpublished data).…”

“…The eye represents 0.1% of the total body surface yet it accounts for 8-13% of battle injuries in modern warfare worldwide [1,2]. Compromise of eyesight can have serious adverse effects on quality of life in both the military and the civilian setting but there are additional implications for soldiers.…”

Magnetic Resonance Imaging and Computed Tomography for the Detection and Characterization of Nonmetallic Intraocular Foreign Bodies

“…2 According to several large series of patients who had penetrating ocular trauma, intraocular foreign bodies (IOFBs) may be present in as many as 18% to 41% of these cases. [3][4][5][6] The presence of an IOFB indicates a more severe ocular injury and has been shown to be associated with a worse visual prognosis. 7 A detailed ocular examination including dilated fundus examination should be performed as soon as possible in patients with penetrating ocular trauma and suspected IOFB.…”

Open Globe Eye Injuries from Syrian Civil War

“…Consistent with previously published studies ocular war injuries occurred predominantly among young males. [16][17][18] Usually ocular injuries are unilateral in peacetime conditions but war-related ocular injuries are bilateral in 15-25% patients. 1,2 Similarly with previously reported studies four patients (10.2%) had bilateral eye injuries in our study.…”