Doubles trouble-85 cases of ocular trauma in badminton: clinical features and prevention

Br J Sports Med. 2020 Jan;54(1):23-26. doi: 10.1136/bjsports-2018-099496. Epub 2019 Apr 15.

Abstract

Objectives: To describe ocular injuries caused by badminton and to explore the implications for future prevention strategies.

Methods: We enrolled 85 patients with ocular trauma caused by badminton. Information collected from patients included type of game, instigator, instrument of injury and lessons in badminton from a professional, and ocular trauma information such as type of injury, treatment and final outcomes.

Results: The 85 patients (52 men, 33 women) were aged 15-65 years with an average age of 42.9 (±10.7) years. In 60 cases the player was hit by a shuttlecock and in 25 the player was hit by a racquet. 73 cases occurred in doubles matches and 10 in singles matches. In 31 cases the trauma was caused by an opponent and in 52 cases by a partner; 2 cases involved bystanders, not players. About 70% (43/61) of the injured and 82% (40/49) of the instigators had not received badminton lessons from a professional. 80 injuries were non-penetrating and 5 were penetrating. There were 58 cases with hyphaema, 36 with secondary glaucoma, 23 with lens subluxation and 2 with retinal detachment. Surgery comprised phacoemulsification or lensectomy and vitrectomy in 16 cases, silicone oil tamponade in 2 cases, trabeculectomy in 3 cases and direct cyclopexy in 5 cases.

Conclusion: The vast majority of the badminton related eye injuries occurred among doubles players and were instigated by the injured person's partner. Non-penetrating injury was more frequent; penetrating injury was usually more serious. We recommend that badminton players use protective eyewear and receive safety education and professional coaching/instruction on techniques to protect against serious eye injuries.

Keywords: badminton; eye; injury.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Eye Injuries / complications
  • Eye Injuries / etiology*
  • Eye Injuries / prevention & control*
  • Eye Injuries / surgery
  • Eye Injuries, Penetrating / complications
  • Eye Injuries, Penetrating / etiology
  • Eye Injuries, Penetrating / prevention & control
  • Eye Injuries, Penetrating / surgery
  • Eye Protective Devices
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Racquet Sports / injuries*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / complications
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / etiology
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / prevention & control
  • Wounds, Nonpenetrating / surgery
  • Young Adult