Ocular injuries from gel blasters: not just a harmless toy

Abstract

Gel blasters fire a hydrated gel polymer and are developed to circumvent the restrictions placed on paintball and airsoft guns. Because there are no reported cases of injury caused by gel blasters in the literature, some Australian jurisdictions have categorised them as a toy. Presented here are two cases of potentially blinding blunt ocular trauma which question the misguided notion they are a harmless toy. Two children each with a macrohyphaema were managed at a tertiary ophthalmology centre within 2 weeks of each other after being struck by a gel blaster projectile. Their vision ultimately returned to normal, but both face lifelong risks of ocular complications. These cases highlight the need for vigilance, and the appropriate restriction of powerful weapons, with the inherent need for eye protection when operating any such projectiles reiterated. It is recommended their licensing is made congruous with paintball guns to prevent false reassurance of their safety.

Keywords: accidents, injuries; anterior chamber; ophthalmology; paediatrics; public health.

Figure 1

Gel ball projectiles which, after being discharged from a gel blaster, caused the significant blunt ocular trauma seen in both cases. Pictured here after rehydration, they measure 6–7 mm in diameter and weigh approximately 214 mg.

Figure 2

Macrohyphaema in case 1 caused by a hydrated spherical polymer fired from a gel blaster gun. A 14-year-old boy pictured 36 hours after presentation, the patient initially had an intraocular pressure of 45 mm Hg and a visual acuity of hand movements only in the affected eye.

Figure 3

Image of the gel blaster responsible for the hyphaema sustained in case 2. This one is designed in the appearance of a handgun, though they are also available in the form of a rifle. Classified as a ’toy' and saleable to children, it had sufficient force to cause significant blunt ocular trauma. Branding of the weapon has been censored.