Background: The aim of this study is to report the characteristics, treatment, and anatomical and functional outcomes of outdoor amateur soccer players with soccer ball-related posterior segment ocular trauma.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective chart review of 22 patients with diagnoses of closed-globe ocular trauma caused by soccer play activity from 2004 through 2008. Injuries were classified according to Ocular Trauma Classification.
Results: All patients (n=22) were male, and all injuries were caused by contact with the soccer ball itself. Sixteen (72%) patients did not require any treatment. Surgery was performed on 5 (22%) patients. Twenty (91%) patients had 5/200 or better visual acuity (VA) at presentation and 2 (9%) had hand movements or worse VA. At the final visit, all patients had 5/200 or better VA (p<0.01).
Conclusion: A soccer ball can cause significant posterior segment trauma, and using eye protection equipment might be an appropriate solution.