Title: A hospital based prospective study to analyze the impact of shotgun pellets on the eyes of the people of the world’s most militarized war zone-The Kashmir Valley
Authors: Sheikh Sajjad Ahmed, Suraya Kounser, Khurshid A Ganaie
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v7i5.160
Abstract
Objective: The continuous use of the shotgun pellets has blinded more than 2000 people in Kashmir valley in the last five years alone. In other parts of the world the ocular pellet injuries are usually accidental in nature. Our main aim of this study was to emphasize on the impact of shotgun pellets on the eyes of war torn Kashmiri people.
Methods: A total of 328 patients were included in the study. All these cases were analyzed prospectively. Majority of these patients reported directly to our accidental and emergency department after being hit by shotgun pellets.
Results: In our patients the mean age was 19.8 years with SD of 9.6 years. The age ranged from 09-44 years. Males were 304 (93%) and females were 24 (7%). Out of 328 patients, 251 (77%) were in the age group of 15-25 years. Among all the patients right eye was involved in 146 (44.5%) cases, left eye was involved in 138 (42%) and 44 (13.5%) cases presented with bilateral involvement of eyes. Out of 328 cases vitreous hemorrhage was noted in 207 (63%) of cases. Highest number of patients 236 (72%) out of 328 cases were having penetrating type of injury and most common site of injury was cornea noted in 128 (39%) of patients. In this study 121 (37%) of cases were having visual acuity of defective perception of light/perception of ray at the time of presentation.
Conclusion: Once considered to be the non lethal weapon for humans, time has proved it to be very lethal if not handled in a proper way. Security personnel should be properly trained how to use the shot gun pellets.
Keywords: Ocular pellet trauma, Penetrating injury, Shotgun pellet, Vitreous hemorrhage,
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