OCULAR INJURIES AND DISEASES AT A COMBAT SUPPORT HOSPITAL IN SUPPORT OF OPERATION-DESERT-SHIELD AND OPERATION-DESERT-STORM

A retrospective review of all emergency department visits to a combat support hospital (one of four combining to support 150 000 troops) dur ing Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm was conducted, and all m edical records of patients with ocular complaints were analyzed. Ocula r injury and/or disease accounted for 14% (108/767) of these visits to the emergency department. Of 108 patients with ocular complaints, cor neal foreign bodies (18), ocular burns (14), and traumatic iritis (eig ht) were the most common injuries treated, while blepharitis and conju nctivitis (16) were the most common diseases. Nineteen (18%) of the 10 8 patients with ocular complaints were treated during support of the g round war in Iraq (13 were Iraqi prisoners). Ophthalmic injuries accou nted for 13% (19/149) of all ground war casualties; however, eight ind ividuals had associated injuries deemed more significant than those of ocular concern. This incidence continues the trend of earlier wars, w hich has demonstrated a steady increase in ocular injuries. Most US Ar my troops were issued protective goggles, but only three of 92 America n patients wore them at the time of their injury and/or disease.