Knocked by the shuttlecock: twelve sight-threatening blunt-eye injuries in Australian badminton players

Abstract

Background: Non-penetrating ocular injuries from badminton shuttlecocks can result in severe damage and life-long complications. This case series highlights the morbidity of such injuries, particularly in regard to post-traumatic glaucoma.

Methods: This is a retrospective case series of 12 patients with shuttlecock-related blunt eye injuries sustained during badminton play without eye protection. By approaching colleagues through conference presentations and networking, the authors have attempted to gather all known cases of shuttlecock ocular injury managed in tertiary ocular emergency departments or private ophthalmological clinics in Victoria and New South Wales, Australia in 2015.

Results: This is the first multicentre case series to describe badminton-related ocular injuries in Australia. Our case series demonstrates, in particular, long-term glaucoma-related morbidity for patients over a large age range (16 to 77 years), with one patient requiring ongoing management 26 years following their initial injury. The cases reported further add to the literature promoting awareness of badminton-related ocular injury.

Conclusions: We encourage player education and advocacy on badminton-related eye injuries and appropriate use of eye protection to reduce associated morbidity.

Keywords: Australia; badminton; blunt-eye injuries; glaucoma; ocular injury prevention; protective eyewear; racquet sports.