Focus on Eyes: Instances of domestic violence often leave victim with eye injuries

Studies show about one in four women and one in seven men have been victims of physical violence by an intimate partner. This translates to about 10 million people who are physically abused every year.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Roughly 40-50% of domestic violence related injuries involve the eye.

Eye injuries can be results of blunt trauma delivered by a fist or a beer bottle.

Typically, the injury is in the left eye because the majority of the population is right-handed.

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The victim frequently presents with a black eye. There are bruises, swelling and sometimes laceration in eyelids.

The conjunctiva and cornea, which are the outer surface of the eye, are abrased and scratched causing pain and redness.

With sufficient force, the bones around the eye are fractured. The eye has a sunken appearance and difficulty looking up and down.

Blunt trauma can damage the inside of the eye.

When the iris or color tissue of the eye is torn by the force of impact, bleeding occurs inside the front portion of the eye.

This hemorrhage can cause high pressure inside the eye and blood staining of the cornea.

The force on the eye can loosen the attachment of the lens inside the eye and hasten cataract formation.

Retinal hemorrhages and swelling are common complications of blunt trauma. Extreme blunt force can rupture the globe with loss of sight and the eye.

Knives and sharp objects can cause penetrating injuries to the eyes.

After cutting through the eyelids, the eye can be entered through the sclera, the white outer surface and cornea.

Depending on the depth of penetration, the lens, retina and the globe can be damaged.

A penetrating eye injury is a serious emergency. The injured eye should be protected and the victim is transported to a regional trauma center for repair.

Domestic violence affects people of all ages.

Babies are most vulnerable because they cannot speak for themselves.

Some perpetrators violently shake infants, hoping to cover up their abusive behaviors.

Unfortunately, the victims can suffer from shaken baby syndrome with bleeding in the retina and the brain.

Eye injuries due to domestic violence are a common occurrence.

Despite proper medical and surgical treatments, some eye injuries result in partial and permanent visual impairment.

The injured eye is susceptible to late complications such as complex retinal detachment, difficult-to-control glaucoma, challenging cataract and chronic double vision.

The victim may require support in mental health, social services and legal intervention.

The purpose of the Domestic Violence Awareness Month is to start the conversation and education to end domestic violence.

Dr. Frederick Ho, the medical director of Atlantic Eye MD and Atlantic Surgery and Laser Center, is a board certified ophthalmologist. Atlantic Eye MD is located at 8040 N. Wickham Road in Melbourne. To make an appointment please call (321) 757-7272. To learn more visit AtlanticEyeMD.com.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Domestic violence often leaves victims with eye injuries