Soccer ball-related retinal injuries: a report of 13 cases

Rapid Prediction of Retina Stress and Strain Patterns in Soccer-Related Ocular Injury: Integrating Finite Element Analysis with Machine Learning Approach

Soccer-related ocular injuries, especially retinal injuries, have attracted increasing attention. The mechanics of a flying soccer ball have induced abnormally higher retinal stresses and strains, and their correlation with retinal injuries has been characterized using the finite element (FE) method. However, FE simulations demand solid mechanical expertise and extensive computational time, both of which are difficult to adopt in clinical settings. This study proposes a framework that combines FE analysis with a machine learning (ML) approach for the fast prediction of retina mechanics. Different impact scenarios were simulated using the FE method to obtain the von Mises stress map and the maximum principal strain map in the posterior retina. These stress and strain patterns, along with their input parameters, were used to train and test a partial least squares regression (PLSR) model to predict the soccer-induced retina stress and strain in terms of distributions and peak magnitudes. The peak von Mises stress and maximum principal strain prediction errors were 3.03% and 9.94% for the frontal impact and were 9.08% and 16.40% for the diagonal impact, respectively. The average prediction error of von Mises stress and the maximum principal strain were 15.62% and 21.15% for frontal impacts and were 10.77% and 21.78% for diagonal impacts, respectively. This work provides a surrogate model of FE analysis for the fast prediction of the dynamic mechanics of the retina in response to the soccer impact, which could be further utilized for developing a diagnostic tool for soccer-related ocular trauma.

A 3-year prospective study on ocular injuries with tennis or cricket ball while playing cricket: A case series

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to study the clinical features, visual outcome, management, and ocular complications of ocular injury, following trauma with tennis or cricket ball.

METHODS

A prospective, noncomparative case study of patients having injury with tennis/cricket ball while playing cricket was conducted between January 2013 and April 2016. Seventy-six eyes of 76 patients were studied. Presenting vision, age, gender, time since injury, general and ocular examination, intraocular pressure, indirect ophthalmoscopy, B scan, and X-ray/computed tomography scan findings were noted. Patients were managed medically or surgically as per the need and followed up at least for 6 months.

RESULTS

Seventy-six eyes of 76 patients were studied. All cases were male, except two. Majority (80.2%) were <25 years. Median presenting visual acuity (VA) was 6/36 and median final VA was 6/18. Significant findings in the decreasing order of frequency were sphincter tear (26.3%), retinal detachment (23.6%), angle recession (18.4%), choroidal rupture (17.1%), and Berlin's edema (15.7%). Most of the cases (69.7%) were managed medically. Only 30.2% cases needed surgical intervention. Final visual outcome in our study was depended on initial VA (P = 0.000). It was also correlating with presenting clinical feature (P = 0.010) and type of intervention (medical/surgical) (P = 0.001).

CONCLUSION

Cricket-related ocular injury generally has a poor prognosis with most cases being closed globe injury; retinal detachment is the most common vision-threatening presentation. In spite of being a common event, cricket-related injury is sparingly documented and hence needs further studies for proper documentation, prognostication, and formulation of definitive management plan.

Head injuries in youth soccer players presenting to the emergency department

BACKGROUND

There has been recent concern about neuropsychological injuries experienced by soccer players, particularly related to the purposeful heading of the ball. There are few population based analyses examining whether this is a legitimate concern.

OBJECTIVES

To explore, using an existing injury surveillance system, one of many parts of this issue: acute injuries requiring emergency medical care experienced by youth soccer players.

METHODS

Descriptive epidemiological analysis of emergency department injury surveillance data (1996-2001) for youths aged 10-24 years from the Kingston sites of the Canadian Hospital Injury Reporting and Prevention Program.

RESULTS

A total of 1714 cases of soccer injury were identified (mean 286 a year); 235 (13.7%) involved diagnoses of injuries to the head. Leading mechanical factors resulting in head injury were contact with other players or persons (153/235; 65.1%) and balls (62/235; 26.4%). Heading was reported in 4/62 (6%) of the ball contact injuries, and attempted heading was reported in 15/153 (9.8%) of the cases involving person to person contact. Unspecified head to head contact between players was reported in 39 cases.

CONCLUSIONS

Minor head injuries that result in emergency medical treatment do not happen often in youth soccer, and very few can be attributed to the purposeful heading of the ball. Player contact injuries appear to be a more important injury control concern. This study informs one of many aspects of the soccer heading injury debate.

The mechanism and prevention of soccer eye injuries

AIMS

To study the mechanism and the means of preventing soccer eye injuries.

METHODS

Kicked soccer ball velocities were measured for a range of ages and experience. Soccer balls (sizes 3, 4, and 5), inflated to 3, 6, and 9 psi, were impacted onto an artificial orbit and the results analysed at 1000 frames per second. Protective eyewear was fitted to a headform then impacted and evaluated.

RESULTS

The mean peak ball velocity was 20.4 (SD 6.2) m/s. Soccer balls at 18 m/s entered the orbit between 7.5 and 8.7 mm. There was no significant difference in orbital penetration as a result of ball size or pressure. The soccer ball stayed in the orbit approximately 10 ms and appeared to have a suction effect as it withdrew. Protective eyewear that complied with sports protective eyewear standard ASTM F803 prevented contact of the ball to the eye.

CONCLUSIONS

The soccer ball causes eye injury by entering the orbit. Protectors that pass ASTM F803 would prevent orbital intrusion.

Severe soccer injuries in amateurs

OBJECTIVES

To ascertain the number and type of severe soccer injuries admitted to King Edward Hospital in South Africa over 42 months.

METHODS

This was a retrospective study of all patients admitted for treatment or observation to the orthopaedic unit only. Patients treated as outpatients, irrespective of severity, are also presented for comparison.

RESULTS

Thirty two patients were admitted with severe injuries. The injuries included 18 fractures of the tibial and femoral shaft. Two tibial shaft fractures were compound. Four tibial plateau fractures and five epiphyseal injuries were identified. One patient had a fracture-dislocation of the hip. One patient with a popliteal artery injury presented 48 hours after the injury had occurred. He had an above knee amputation. In the same period 122 patients were treated as outpatients. The types of injury in this group were similar to soccer injuries reported in other countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Very serious injuries are sustained by casual soccer players in South Africa. Urgent measures need to be taken to prevent such injuries.