Ocular findings in asymptomatic amateur boxers

Eye Trauma in Mixed Martial Arts and Boxing

PURPOSE

To evaluate and compare eye and face trauma in mixed martial arts (MMA) and boxing.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Data from boxing and MMA competitions were extracted from the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) between 2000 and 2020. Details of competitions, contestants, outcomes, and injuries were extracted.

RESULTS

In total 1539 boxing injuries (from 4313 contests) and 1442 MMA injuries (from 2704 contests) were identified. Boxing had higher eye injury rates compared to MMA ( p < 0.0001), with an odds ratio of 1.268 (95% CI, 1.114-1.444). Eye trauma represented 47.63% of boxing injuries and 25.59% of MMA injuries, with periocular lacerations being the most common eye injury in both. Orbital fractures represented 17.62% of eye injuries in MMA and 3.14% in boxing contests. However, 2%-3% were retinal in both sports, and 3.27% were glaucomatous in boxing. MMA contestants had an odds ratio of 1.823 (95% CI, 1.408-2.359) for requiring physician evaluation following an eye injury compared with boxing. MMA contestants also had a higher rate of face ( p < 0.0001) and body ( p < 0.0001) injuries. For both sports, an increased number of rounds and being the losing fighter were associated with increased odds of eye and face injury.

CONCLUSION

Although boxing has a higher rate of eye injuries, MMA eye injuries are more likely to require physician evaluation. MMA contestants also have a higher rate of orbital fractures and face and body trauma. A detailed postfight examination and long-term follow-up of ocular injury in combat sports will be vital in proposing reforms to prevent eye trauma.

Ocular changes in traumatic brain injury: A review

Traumatic brain injury is represented by a penetrating or non-penetrating head injury, which causes disruption in the normal functioning of the brain. Traumatic brain injury has been an ardently debated topic of discussion due to its prevalence in media centric persons such as military personnel and athletes. Current assessments for traumatic brain injury have looked at vestibulo-ocular and vascular parameters to aid in diagnosis. Innovations in non-invasive ophthalmic imaging have allowed for the visualization of specific tissue structure/function relationships in a variety of ophthalmic and neurodegenerative diseases. As the eye and brain share significant embryological and physiological pathways, ocular imaging modalities may provide a novel and impactful tool in advancing assessment of traumatic brain injury. Herein, we examined the available literature and data on visual fields, mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, retinal ganglion cell layer thickness, and cerebral blood flow following traumatic brain injury. This review of published individual and population-based studies was performed in order to explore the feasibility and importance of considering ocular imaging biomarkers following traumatic brain injury.

Evoked potentials in diagnosis of visual dysfunction in amateur boxers

OBJECTIVE

Injuries with varying degrees of temporary or permanent visual dysfunction are common in boxing. This study presents clinical diagnostic information regarding the functional integrity of the visual system in elite amateur boxers. The objective of this study was to assess the presence of normal or abnormal pattern visual evoked potentials (VEP). VEP in boxers were analyzed in relation to the nonathletic group and years of boxing activity.

METHODS

Clinical examination involved 31 boxers (21 male and 10 female) and 31 controls homogeneous in terms of age and gender. Pattern-reversal VEP elicited by checkerboard stimuli with large (LC) and small checks (SC) under monocular condition were applied. The latency and amplitude of N75, P100 and N135 components of the VEP waveform were analyzed. Absolute values and interocular differences of P100 latency and N75-P100 amplitude were used in determining VEP abnormalities.

RESULTS

Individual analysis showed prolonged P100 latency in both eyes in one male boxer. Interocular P100 latency differences beyond 8 ms were observed in three male boxers. The N75-P100 amplitude of four boxers exceeded the normal range in both eyes for the LC stimulation and one boxer for the SC stimulation. Interocular N75-P100 amplitude differences beyond the normal range in two cases for both the LC and the SC stimulation were confirmed. There was a positive correlation between years of boxing activity and N75 latency in SC (R = 0.480, p < 0.05) and N75-P100 amplitude in LC (R = -0.370, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Long-term boxing training may cause impairments in neural conductivity in the visual pathway. VEP seem to be a valuable tool in the neurophysiological diagnosis of visual function in contact sports. They can be recommended as a systematical examination for boxers during training processes for the indication and reduction in the incidence of vision-threatening injuries.

Boxing and the Eyes: Morphological Aspects of the Ocular System in Boxers

Among all sports, the so-called "contact sports" are those in which the athlete's eye is particularly at risk. In boxing, where the face is the main target, the eye is clearly one of the most exposed parts. To assess the eye risks in this sport a study was carried out between 1992 and 1994 at the Ophthalmological Clinic of the university of Turin, Italy, involving 75 active and ex-boxers (amateurs and professionals) aged 15 to 70 years. Biomicroscopic examinations, refraction and acuity tests, tonometry, exophthalmometry, gonioscopy, ocular fundus examination with Goldmann three-mirror lens) were done. The results of the survey confirm the existence of alterations, generally asymptomatic, both in amateur and professional boxers. The eye examination showed alterations of structures such as the orbital arch, conjunctiva, iris, lens, retina. Four boxers had retinal detachment, three of them due to boxing. The opthalmologist has an important part to play in preventing serious damage to the eye and in checking alterations which might be an expression of subtle neural damage (pupillary alterations).

Ophthalmological findings in Cameroonian boxers

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this prospective, noncomparative consecutive study was to examine active and retired amateur boxers in order to evaluate the nature and incidence of ocular pathologic conditions related to the boxing practice.

RESULTS

A total of 35 boxers were included in this study. The mean age of the boxers was 28.09±7.57 years (range 18-52 years). Sixteen (45.7%) boxers had >5 years of boxing experience. Fifteen (42.85%) of the boxers reported wearing protective equipment in the bouts and sparring rounds. The number of bouts ranged from 3 to 103, with a median of 20 (interquartile range [IQR] =7-44). The percentages of wins varied from 25% to 100%, with a median of 68.29% (IQR =50.00-79.54). Most of the eye injuries recorded were minor injuries (66.66%), with subconjunctival hemorrhage being the most common (24.24%). Lid scars were the second most common lesion, accounting for 18.18% of all lesions. Sight-threatening eye lesions accounted for 33.34% of injuries and included cataracts (12.12%), lens dislocation (3.03%), pseudoexfoliation syndrome (3.03%), unilateral glaucoma (3.03%), retinal detachment (3.03%), vitreous opacity (6.06%), and lattice degeneration (3.03%).

CONCLUSION

Boxing-related ocular traumas are common in Cameroon, and ocular surface lesions are the most common injury reported. Severe lesions are indications for premature retirement from boxing practice.

Eye trauma in boxing

In boxing, along with a few other sports, trauma is inherent to the nature of the sport; therefore it is considered a high-risk sport for ocular injuries. The long-term morbidity of ocular injuries suffered by boxers is difficult to estimate due to the lack of structured long-term follow-up of these athletes. Complications of blunt ocular trauma may develop years after the athlete has retired from the ring and is no longer considered to be at risk for boxing-related injuries. This article describes the wide range of eye injuries a boxer can sustain, and their immediate and long-term clinical management.

Ophthalmological findings in elite amateur Turkish boxers

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the nature and incidence of pathological ocular conditions in boxing.

METHODS

A group of 20 active, elite, amateur, asymptomatic Turkish boxers were examined and compared with a control group composed of 20 age matched sportsmen who were not boxers. The boxers had been actively boxing for 5-20 years (mean 9.65), were aged 16-34 (mean 22.25), and weighed 51-91 kg (mean 73.07). They had been involved in 67-500 fights (mean 143.8), with 5-40 losses (mean 17.75). All were championship title holders at the national, European, Olympic, or World level.

RESULTS

An atrophic retinal hole was found in one boxer, which was treated with laser prophylaxis. In this series, the incidence of traumatic eye injuries was much lower than in the literature. Possible reasons are their young age, their division being mainly lightweight or middleweight, few fight losses, being elite boxers, their fighting distance being near or distant, protective methods, and racial factors.

CONCLUSION

Boxing does not appear to be as hazardous to the eyes as previously reported, but prospective, longitudinal studies need to be carried out, including boxers of all divisions, ages, boxing experience, and level, and using various methods of fighting and protection. It should be made mandatory for all boxers to have a complete ophthalmological examination at the beginning of their careers and periodically thereafter.