Article
Eye injuries caused by the water jet ejected from fire-fighting hoses: results of an experimental study with focus on the retina
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Published: | May 30, 2012 |
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Purpose: An international survey has shown that eye injuries caused by hose stream for fire-fighting are comparatively rare, but can lead to severe lacerations up to blindness. The following experimental study was performed to investigate the mechanism of this laceration.
Methods: 76 Pig eyes were embedded in an artificial orbita and exposed to the water jet under predefined conditions. A conventional smooth bore jet branchpipe and a modern combination branchpipe were used. The deformations of the globe were documented using a high-speed camera. The eyeballs were examined by slit lamp and ophthalmoscopy, after the exposure additionally by sonography including ultrasonic bio-microscopy.
Results: Using the standard inlet pressure of 5 bar in a distance of 2 m in all specimens retinal lacerations (holes or detachment) were found, in a distance of 5 m in 33% and of 8 m in 10%. Up to a distance of 4 m the extent of retinal damage was higher than the averaged extend of all examined ocular tissues, but in a further distance the relation reversed. The video sequences showed high-frequent oscillations of the eyeballs with downward drift in longer distances (x (2 m)=111 Hz, x (5 m)=52 Hz, x (8 m)=33 Hz).
Conclusions: Analog to the results of the international survey a relation between the extent of damage and the impact pressure was found. The slow-motion showed oscillating deformations of the globe, explained by the fluid dynamic conditions in the orbita. The lacerations of the retina should be regarded as a recurrent contusion-suction-trauma.