Eye injuries sustained during protests due to non-lethal weaponry: a systematic review

ABSTRACT

Introduction

Ocular injuries may be produced by non-lethal weaponry. With the upsurge of protests in the United States earlier in 2020, the consequences posed by non-lethal weaponry represent an emerging public health concern. This review summarizes the types of ocular injuries sustained, reports on secondary injuries when applicable and outlines the visual outcomes and necessary methods of treatments.

Areas covered

This paper reviews the current literature pertaining to ocular injuries sustained during protests. The literature was searched through three databases (Medline, Ovid, CINAHL). Grey literature was searched through Clinical Trials.gov and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses. Conferences held through American Academy of Ophthalmology, Canadian Society of Ophthalmology, and Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology were searched. Primary studies that adhered to the inclusion and exclusion criteria were included.

Expert opinion

Numerous forms of non-lethal weaponry are capable of producing ocular injuries. Open and closed globe injuries are observed in addition to countless secondary injuries. The presenting visual acuity is an indication to the severity of the ocular injuries. Surgical intervention is the frequent primary method of treatment. In the interest of public health, the necessary regulations must be implemented to control the usage of non-lethal weaponry during protests.

KEYWORDS:

• Ocular injuries
• non-lethal weaponry
• protests
• public health
• public safety
• kinetic impact projectiles
• riot control agents
• visual outcomes
• open-globe injuries
• closed-globe injuries

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

A peer reviewer has disclosed being an employee of Essilor International. Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no other relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.