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Case Reports
. 2009 Dec 10:9:14.
doi: 10.1186/1471-2415-9-14.

Self-inflicted penetrating eye injuries using a razor blade: case report

Hessom Razavi  1 , Nicholas Price
Affiliations
Case Reports

Self-inflicted penetrating eye injuries using a razor blade: case report

Hessom Razavi et al. BMC Ophthalmol. .

Abstract

Background: A 23 year old white male with a history of social and behavioural problems attempted to blind himself chemically, with alcohol, and mechanically, with a razor blade.

Methods: Observational case report of a patient who self-inflicted bilateral scleral lacerations with a razor blade, after losing his job.

Results: The patient sustained bilateral inferior scleral perforations, with hypotony and a right traumatic cataract. He received urgent surgical repair, and prophylactic antibiotics. There were no retinal breaks or detachments. He later underwent successful cataract surgery to the right eye.

Conclusion: Self-inflicted ocular injury may be possible in non-psychotic patients, as a situational response to a life event. Urgent repair can completely restore vision in some cases. Referral for psychiatric counseling is mandatory.

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