ABOUT THE DANGER OF PAINT BALL

Severe ocular injuries may occur during a new war game in France, call ed << paint ball >>. A high pressure carbon dioxide powered gun fires pellets filled with dye. The pellet is coated with a semisoft gelatine and filled with a << nontoxic >> dye mixture. We observed six consecu tive cases during a ten month-period. In two cases (both due to a shot at point-blank range), mature cataract occurred. Consequently, lensec tomy was achieved, preceded by a prophylactic scleral buckle. In one c ase, a retinal detachment due to a localized retinal necrosis occurred . With endocular surgery and temporary silicone oil tamponade, we achi eved retinal reattachment. The three remaining cases did not require s urgery. They suffered blunt ocular lesions of the anterior and/or post erior segment. One of these cases showed permanent tattooing to the co rnea. After a mean follow-up lasting six months, all patients had, at least, a 40/100 vision. Some recommendations can reduce the incidence and the severity of ocular injuries due to paint balling. Firstly, eye guards (made of polycarbonate) must be worn before receiving guns and pellets. Secondly, a kind of safety gun stopper can avoid gun firing b y accident apart from practices. Thirdly, according to others publicat ions, alcohol or drugs should not be consumed before the game. Lastly, gun fire at point-blank range or toward the head must be forbidden. W e hope that wide distribution of such recommendations will help reduci ng the frequency of this type of ocular traumas.