APR 01, 2020
Blast Injury, a Public Health Hazard: Management and Prevention
AAO 2019 Video Program
Oculoplastics/Orbit
Blast injury, though rare, is an emergency. Its primary effects are mostly due to shock waves. The eye being one of the most vulnerable structures, the role of the ophthalmologist is indispensable. This video demonstrates the types and mechanisms of injury, the protocol of management and factors prognosticating blast injury cases. Proper ocular examination and imaging was done. In all cases, the entry wound track was traced up to the foreign body (FB) with dissection of surrounding tissue and removal of the FB under proper visualization. The authors would like to emphasize that not all metallic FBs located deep in the orbit need be removed, the exception being those accessible surgically and causing functional deficit, infection or inflammation. Intraoperative care ensures that the FB is not lost deep into the orbit. The video aims to heighten public awareness so that precautionary and protective measures to reduce blast-related public perils be the modus operandi in every society.