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Physician advises readiness, awareness for treating patients injured by terrorist attacks
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ATLANTA — Ophthalmologists should be prepared to treat ocular injuries caused by special weapons that could be used in terrorist attacks, including chemical weapons, biological agents and nuclear devices, a physician said.
At the American Academy of Ophthalmology meeting here, Allen B. Thach, MD, outlined different types of special weapons and how they injure the eye. He said ocular injuries from terrorist bombings can range from conjunctivitis to corneal lacerations.
"Explosion is the most common type of injury affecting the eyes with a terrorist blast, specifically secondary blast injury, which causes fragments of glass or debris to be propelled by the explosion, causing eye injury," he said.
Physicians should be aware of safety measures to treat special weapon cases to best protect themselves and patients, Dr. Thach said. He recommended that physicians get involved with their local hospital emergency teams to ensure that ophthalmic issues are recognized in case of a terrorist attack.