title: Surfing-related ocular injuries.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This report evaluates the clinical characteristics of surfing-related ocular trauma to learn the nature of such injuries and propose possible preventive measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  The authors reviewed 11 cases of surfing-related eye injuries caused by direct trauma from the surfboard, studying their mechanism of injury, the associated ocular complications, and the anatomic and visual outcomes of surgical repair.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surfing-related ocular injuries occurred exclusively in young males (mean age, 24.8 years; range, 14-37 years). The mechanism of injury most frequently responsible was impact with the sharp nose of the surfboard following a fall. Serious posterior segment complications were observed in all 11 patients, with nine patients suffering ruptured globes. Despite immediate medical attention, five patients did not recover ambulatory levels of visual acuity (>5/200).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Surfing-related ocular trauma presenting to the retinal specialist typically leaves the patient with a permanent visual disability. Important factors contributing to these high-velocity injuries include the sharply pointed nose of the surfboard and the leash keeping the surfer in close proximity to the board following a fall. A simple modification in surfboard design such as blunting the sharp nose of the surfboard, or appropriate protective guards fitted over the surfboard nose, should lessen the severity of such injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, California Pacific Medical Center, San Francisco, USA.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: H R
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Rubsamen
authors.forename: J K
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Luttrull
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Drouilhet
authors.forename: D A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Frambach
authors.forename: D S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Boyer
authors.forename: F H
authors.initials: FH
authors.lastname: Lambrou
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hendrick
authors.forename: J N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Weiss
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Engstrom
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ing
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D065306:Corneal Injuries; D015807:Eye Injuries, Penetrating / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D005135:Eye Protective Devices; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D013508:Ophthalmologic Surgical Procedures; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012421:Rupture; D012590:Sclera / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D019876:Sports Equipment / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014792:Visual Acuity