Ocular injuries caused by elastic cords
C. J. Nichols, H. C. Boldt, W. F. Mieler, D. P. Han and K. Olsen
Eye Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226.
Five patients with ocular trauma due to elastic cords with attached metal
or plastic hooks were evaluated over a 13-month period. Injuries included
hyphema, angle recession, lens subluxation, choroidal rupture, vitreous
hemorrhage, retinal detachment, and scleral rupture. Two patients suffered
penetrating ocular injuries, and three patients had final visual acuities
of 20/200 or less. This series emphasizes the potential severity of ocular
injury due to these commonly used devices and reiterates a modification in
design that might decrease the likelihood of accidental trauma from elastic
cords.
