Lawn mower injuries as a cause of serious visual acuity impairment - Case reports

Ocular trauma from Lawn mower accidents: Clinical insights, visual outcomes and microbial profiles

AIMS

To characterize the clinical features of ocular trauma resulting from lawn mower, identify determinants of unfavorable final visual acuity (FVA), and assess the spectrum of microbial in posttraumatic endophthalmitis.

METHODS

This retrospective study enrolled patients who experienced ocular trauma due to lawn mower at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from January 2013 to August 2021. Demographics, clinical features, isolated microorganisms, risk factors influencing reduced visual acuity, treatment regimens, and utilization of eyewear were collected.

RESULTS

The study included 140 participants (140 eyes) (49.47 ± 12.03 years, 95% male). The predominant injury manifestations were penetrating globe injuries (75.7%) and intraocular foreign bodies (51.4%). Endophthalmitis occurred in 35 cases (25%) and Bacillus cereus (23.5%) was the primary pathogen, followed by Staphylococcus epidermidis (11.8%) and Streptococcus species (11.8%). Following the initial assessment, where 77.9% of patients had initial visual acuity (IVA) at grade IV (ranging from light perception to 4/200) and only 0.7% attained grade I (better than 20/40), post-treatment results revealed that 5.7% achieved FVA at grade I, with a concurrent decrease in patients with grade IV vision to 64.3%. Multivariate logistic regression revealed that injury protection (p < 0.001, OR = 0.237, 95% CI = 0.126-0.446), IVA (p = 0.001, OR = 4.102, 95% CI = 1.730-9.729), and retinal detachment (p = 0.042, OR = 8.105, 95% CI = 1.075-61.111) were significant independent risk factors impacting FVA.

CONCLUSION

Lawn mower often cause severe ocular injuries, with high-velocity metal foreign bodies that can lead to infections, most commonly caused by Bacillus cereus. Correct use of protective gear, initial vision assessment, and detecting retinal detachment are crucial for visual prognosis.

Penetrating pulmonary injury due to a thrown rusty nail while using a lawn mower: a case report

Accidents while using lawn mowers are often reported, but chest injuries are rare. We report a case of a penetrating pulmonary injury due to a rusty nail thrown by a lawn mower. A 63-year-old man injured his left precordium by a thrown object while using a lawn mower; he thereafter visited a nearby hospital. A computed tomography image showed a left-sided pneumothorax and a penetrating pulmonary injury of the left upper lobe due to a foreign body. Pneumothorax was treated with thoracic drainage and resolved. He was transferred to our hospital on the second day after the injury, and video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery was performed to remove the foreign body. Surgical findings showed a penetrating wound in the left upper lobe and leakage of pus from its margin. The foreign body was a rusty nail. The penetrating wound was treated by partial pulmonary resection to control the infection. Histopathological findings revealed the formation of a lung abscess. Penetrating pulmonary injuries do not require surgical treatment for most patients. However, residual foreign bodies can cause lung abscesses. The removal of foreign bodies depends on the type of injury as well as the type and location of the foreign body. Theoretically, the foreign body should be removed and the penetrating pulmonary injury should be treated, if possible, to control infection.