Biomechanics of Eye Injury in the Military

Abstract

Eye injury accounts for approximately 15 % of battlefield injuries worldwide. Most eye injuries are not life-threatening and are not a high priority on the battlefield. However, these injuries can result in a severe loss of function, diminished quality of life, and decreased career opportunities for military personnel following completion of service. The complexity of the eye is similar to the complexity of the brain in that trauma to the eye results in primary acute injuries with secondary and long term sequelae leading to visual dysfunction. To date, the biomechanics and resulting injury of ocular trauma has been a fairly underrepresented area of research. This has changed as a result of the recent wars and conflicts, but there is still a lot that is unknown or not well understood. This chapter will provide an overview of ocular anatomy, types and causes of ocular injury found in the military, and a review the state of knowledge in biomechanics of ocular trauma from blunt impact and blast exposure. Careful evaluation of the current literature will identify urgent areas of focus, establish guidelines for future biomechanics research, and lead to the development of better strategies for the detection, assessment, and prevention of ocular injury in military personnel.