Ocular trauma in badminton: A 5-year review of badminton-related eye injury emergency department presentations

Objective

To examine the nature and severity of badminton-related ocular injuries in Melbourne, Australia.

Methods

This is a retrospective chart review. A search of the medical records was conducted for patients presenting to the ED at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, with badminton-related eye injuries from June 2018 to May 2023. Data were extracted, focusing on injury mechanism, patient demographics and treatment outcomes.

Results

In total, 88 patients were included in the study, comprising 64 (73%) men and 24 (27%) women. The mean patient age was 36.13 years. The most common injury was hyphaema (73%), followed by commotio retinae (45%). One patient sustained a penetrating eye injury when a shuttlecock shattered the spectacles he was wearing during play. Medical intervention was required for 90% of patients. The most common interventions were steroid eye drops (80%) and cycloplegic eyedrops (76%). A total of six (7%) patients required surgical management. For those 69 patients followed up at The Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital, 77% of patients had a final best-corrected visual acuity of 6/6 or greater.

Conclusions

Hyphaema, commotio retinae and traumatic uveitis were the most commonly diagnosed injuries. The majority of patients with badminton-related eye injuries required medical treatment, and some necessitated surgical intervention. To mitigate these risks, there is a pressing need to develop an eye safety policy for Australian badminton players, and players should exercise caution when wearing spectacles during play to prevent potential penetrating eye injuries.