Genta Nallbani1, Marsida Krasniqi2
1Department of Kinesiology, Sport University of Tirana, Albania
2Department of Medical Sciences, University Aleksander Moisiu Durres, Tirana, Albania
Evaluation of Ocular Injuries among Athletes in Albania
Sport Mont 2023, 21(1), 31-55 | DOI: 10.26773/smj.230205
Abstract
It is important to evaluate ocular traumas in athletes as they can cause visual loss as blindness. This study aims to evaluate the epidemiology of ocular injuries and their characteristics in students aged from 19 to 23 years old in Albania. This is a 3-month study that started in November 2021 and ended in February 2022. 489 students of the University of Sports participated in the study. They answered a questionnaire about their demographic data and history of ocular injuries during sports activities. Students who reported ocular injuries underwent ocular examinations to evaluate their vision and ocular injuries characteristics. Only 7% of students reported that they had ocular injuries. Ball and teammates were reported with high frequencies as cause of eye injury. Only one student appeared to have reduced vision and damage to the structure of the eye. Sports-related ocular injuries can cause decrease of vision and the use of protective equipment during sports activities would prevent these injuries. Football and boxing were most commonly sports associated with ocular injuries among students in our study. This study points to the importance of preventing eye damage during sports activities by using preventive equipment, and opens the door for taking initiatives regarding the rules of using preventive equipment during sports activities.
Keywords
ocular injuries, students, sports activities, Albania
View full article
(PDF – 232KB)
References
American Academy of Ophthalmology (2013). Joint Policy Statement - Protective Eyewear for Young Athletes. Retrived from https://www.aao.org/clinical-statement/protective-eyewear-young-athletes
Braham, R.A., Finch, C.F., McIntosh, A., & McCrory, P. (2004). Community football players’ attitudes toward protective equipment - A pre-season measure. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 38(4), 426–430. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2002.004051
Cassell, E., Kerr, E., & Clapperton, A. (2012). Adult sports injury hospitalisations in 16 sports: the football codes, other team ball sports, team bat and stick sports and racquet sports. Victorian Injury Surveillance Unit (VISU), 74, 1–36.
Currie, Z., Bhan, A., & Pepper, I. (2000). Reliability of Snellen charts for testing visual acuity for driving: prospective study and postal questionnaire. British Medical Journal-BMJ, 321(7267), 990-992.
Haring, R.S., Sheffield, I.D., Canner, J.K., & Schneider, E.B. (2016). Epidemiology of sports-related eye injuries in the United States. JAMA Ophthalmology, 134(12), 1382–1390. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaophthalmol 4253.
King, A.B., & Walsh, F.B. (1949). Trauma to the head with particular reference to the ocular signs: Part I. Injuries involving the cranial nerves. American Journal of Ophthalmology, 32(2), 191-206a.
Krasniqi, M., & Trebicka, B. (2020). Visual impairment and quality of life, a cross- sectional study. International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 24(7), 10234–10240.
Lee, D.E., Ryoo, H.W., Moon, S., Ahn, J.Y., Kim, J.H., & Kim, J.Y. (2021). Epidemiology and risk factors for sports- And recreation-related eye injury: A multicenter prospective observational study. International Journal of Ophthalmology, 14(1), 133–140. https://doi.org/10.18240/ijo.2021.01.19
Mao, G. (2021a). Sports - Related Concussion. Retrived from https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/injuries-and-poisoning/head-injuries/sports-related-concussion
Mao, G. (2021b). Overview of Head Injuries – MSD Manual. Retrived from https://www.msdmanuals.com/home/injuries-and-poisoning/head-injuries/overview-of-head-injuries
Micieli, J.A., Zurakowski, D., & Ahmed, I.I.K. (2014). Impact of visors on eye and orbital injuries in the National Hockey League. Canadian Journal of Ophthalmology, 49(3), 243-248.
Moon, S., Ryoo, H.W., Ahn, J.Y., Park, J.B., Seo, K.S., Shin, S. Do, … Hong, S.O. (2016). Analysis on sports and recreation activity-related eye injuries presenting to the Emergency Department. International Journal of Ophthalmology, 9(10), 1499–1505. https://doi.org/10.18240/ijo.2016.10.22
Motlagh, B., Zamani, N., Ghojazadeh, M., Nateghian, H., Hosseinifard, H., Pashazadeh, F., & Yengejeh, S. (2021). Prevalence of sports-related eye injuries: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Archives of Trauma Research, 10(3), 114. https://doi.org/10.4103/atr.atr_118_20
Parmar, T., Martin, J.L., Davies, G.F., & Daniel, S. (2020). A Case of Visual Loss following Concussion in an Elite Athlete, 7, 1–2.
Zhang, J., Zhu, X., Sun, Z., Wang, J., Sun, Z., Li, J., … Yan, H. (2021). Epidemiology of Sports-Related Eye Injuries Among Athletes in Tianjin, China. Frontiers in Medicine, 8(September), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2021.690528