Gunshot and explosion injuries of the eyes
- 1University Hospital of Trauma, Lord Bajron str., 1, Tirana, 1000
Abstract
Gunshot and explosive injuries to the visual organs are one of the most severe and socially significant forms of ophthalmological pathology, especially in the context of armed conflicts, terrorist attacks, and man-made disasters. The anatomical complexity of the eye, its vulnerability to high-energy impact, and the vital importance of visual function determine the extreme severity of the consequences of such injuries. These injuries not only reduce the quality of life of the victims but also produce a substantial load on healthcare and social support systems due to the high incidence of disabling outcomes. The study aimed to investigate the clinical and functional characteristics of gunshot and explosive injuries of the visual organs with subsequent analysis of treatment outcomes in a specialised trauma centre. A retrospective study was conducted at the University Trauma Clinic in Tirana, Albania, between January 1995 and December 2006. The sample included 172 patients (240 eyes) admitted within the first 24 hours after injury. The methodology included the analysis of medical records and ophthalmological examination data, including visometry using Snellen tables, biomicroscopy using a slit lamp, ophthalmoscopy, and orbital radiography. In cases of suspected foreign bodies in the posterior segment, computed tomography was utilised. Statistical data processing was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics v.22.0, utilising Student's t-test for quantitative indicators and Pearson's χ² test for categorical variables. Epidemiological analysis revealed peaks in morbidity in 1997 (25%) and 1999 (22%), corresponding to periods of political crisis and armed conflict. The victims were predominantly male (92%) with an average age of 23.9±14.1 years. Notably, 54% of victims were minors, and 71% resided in rural areas. Explosions caused the largest proportion of cases (49%), followed by gunshot wounds (31%), indicating high-energy injury mechanisms. Clinical evaluation showed that severe eye injuries predominated (76%), often accompanied by combined injuries to other organs (75%). Foreign bodies were detected in 75% of eyes, and bilateral injuries occurred in 39% of patients. Despite treatment, severe anatomical outcomes (enucleation, atrophy) were recorded in 57% of patients, and irreversible loss of vision was recorded in 39% of eyes. The high level of disability identified highlights the need for systemic preventive measures and the readiness of ophthalmology services to receive seriously injured people on a massive scale. The practical significance of the data suggests that healthcare authorities must plan medical evacuation, train personnel, and create specialised ophthalmic trauma centres to manage complex, combined injuries effectively. Special attention must be paid to vulnerable groups, particularly children and rural residents, to prevent injuries during periods of social instability.
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BibTeX
@article{bardhi2026gunshot,
title = {{Gunshot and explosion injuries of the eyes}},
author = {N. Bardhi},
journal = {Medičnì Perspektivi},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.26641/2307-0404.2026.3.376668},
url = {https://doi.org/10.26641/2307-0404.2026.3.376668},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Gunshot and explosion injuries of the eyes
AU - N. Bardhi
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/01
JO - Medičnì Perspektivi
DO - 10.26641/2307-0404.2026.3.376668
UR - https://doi.org/10.26641/2307-0404.2026.3.376668
AB - Gunshot and explosive injuries to the visual organs are one of the most severe and socially significant forms of ophthalmological pathology, especially in the context of armed conflicts, terrorist attacks, and man-made disasters. The anatomical complexity of the eye, its vulnerability to high-energy impact, and the vital importance of visual function determine the extreme severity of the consequences of such injuries. These injuries not only reduce the quality of life of the victims but also produce a substantial load on healthcare and social support systems due to the high incidence of disabling outcomes. The study aimed to investigate the clinical and functional characteristics of gunshot and explosive injuries of the visual organs with subsequent analysis of treatment outcomes in a specialised trauma centre. A retrospective study was conducted at the University Trauma Clinic in Tirana, Albania, between January 1995 and December 2006. The sample included 172 patients (240 eyes) admitted within the first 24 hours after injury. The methodology included the analysis of medical records and ophthalmological examination data, including visometry using Snellen tables, biomicroscopy using a slit lamp, ophthalmoscopy, and orbital radiography. In cases of suspected foreign bodies in the posterior segment, computed tomography was utilised. Statistical data processing was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics v.22.0, utilising Student's t-test for quantitative indicators and Pearson's χ² test for categorical variables. Epidemiological analysis revealed peaks in morbidity in 1997 (25%) and 1999 (22%), corresponding to periods of political crisis and armed conflict. The victims were predominantly male (92%) with an average age of 23.9±14.1 years. Notably, 54% of victims were minors, and 71% resided in rural areas. Explosions caused the largest proportion of cases (49%), followed by gunshot wounds (31%), indicating high-energy injury mechanisms. Clinical evaluation showed that severe eye injuries predominated (76%), often accompanied by combined injuries to other organs (75%). Foreign bodies were detected in 75% of eyes, and bilateral injuries occurred in 39% of patients. Despite treatment, severe anatomical outcomes (enucleation, atrophy) were recorded in 57% of patients, and irreversible loss of vision was recorded in 39% of eyes. The high level of disability identified highlights the need for systemic preventive measures and the readiness of ophthalmology services to receive seriously injured people on a massive scale. The practical significance of the data suggests that healthcare authorities must plan medical evacuation, train personnel, and create specialised ophthalmic trauma centres to manage complex, combined injuries effectively. Special attention must be paid to vulnerable groups, particularly children and rural residents, to prevent injuries during periods of social instability.
SN - 2307-0404
SN - 2786-4804
ER -