Assessment and management of ocular foreign bodies.

Ocular trauma in sports is unexpected and can result in dramatic vision loss. Some of the most insidious yet serious ocular injuries result from retained intraocular foreign bodies, and therefore sports physicians, trainers, and emergency physicians should have a high degree of suspicion when evaluating sports- and work-related eye injuries. This article presents a stepwise approach to history, physical exam, management, and referral when intraocular foreign bodies are a possibility. The authors also present pitfalls in diagnosis, give specific treatment options, and stress the importance of primary prevention and safety protection.

Ultrasound biomicroscopy in the assessment of anterior scleral disease.

High-frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy is a new method of examining subsurface anterior segment structures of the eye at microscopic resolution. The sclera has a high internal reflectivity and can be differentiated from the cornea, and overlying and underlying tissue. Using this modality, we examined 18 patients with various manifestations of scleral disease. Localized anterior staphyloma could be differentiated from other causes of a black spot on the scleral surface. Episcleral thickening could be differentiated from involvement of the sclera itself. Different patterns of scleral involvement could be imaged including diffuse low-reflective mottling, low-reflective nodules extending into the scleral substance, and scleral thinning. Scleral thinning could be assessed and quantified. Underlying changes in the vitreous could be detected. Ultrasound biomicroscopy was a useful adjunct to clinical examination in the assessment of anterior scleral disease.

Eye protection in racquet sports.

This article summarizes the clinical and experimental data leading to the Canadian Standards Association (CSA) certification of six eyeguards for racquet sports in Canada in November 1986. A parallel approach involving the American Standard of Testing and Materials (ASTM) is discussed and eyeguards meeting specifications are illustrated.