Neuro-ophthalmological sequelae of horse-related accidents.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to highlight the neuro-ophthalmological dangers associated with horse riding, and working around horses, and the importance of wearing adequate headgear to protect the rider from neuro-ophthalmic injuries. It raises the questions of whether the current laws regarding helmet use are satisfactory, and whether helmets currently used are of an adequate standard. Methods: The records over a 20-year period of one neuro-ophthalmologist in Adelaide were reviewed producing 22 patients with neuro-ophthalmological sequelae of head injuries as a result of horse-related accidents. Results: There were 22 patients (16 female, six male), one of whom was involved in three separate accidents, Of these, seven were professional riders and 15 amateur. In 20 of the 24 accidents, patients were either thrown or fell from the horse. Helmets were worn in 15 of the accidents. All the patients had closed head injuries of varying severity. The most common neuro-ophthalmological complication found was a fourth-nerve palsy in 11 patients. Five patients had a significant loss of vision and two of these were severe enough to warrant a blind pension. Conclusions: Horse riding and working around horses constitute an occupation or recreation with inherent dangers. Previous studies have shown that wearing of protective headgear reduces the risk and severity of head injuries, and helmet use should be vigorously promoted. The current laws and practices regarding helmet use are not uniform and seem to be inadequate. The current standard for equestrian safety helmets (AS/NZS 3838:1998) embodies improvements on earlier helmet standards and certainly increases the rider's chances of surviving a severe impact. Nevertheless, serious brain injuries have occurred in wearers of approved helmets, and further research is desirable to ensure the optimum degree of protection compatible with rider acceptance.
Publication Date: 2001-09-08 PubMed ID: 11545416DOI: 10.1046/j.1442-9071.2001.00430.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research paper focuses on the neuro-ophthalmological risks related with horse riding and stresses the importance of wearing quality headgear for protection. It also analyzes existing helmet use laws and their adequacy.
Objective of the Study
- The main objective of the study was to highlight the neuro-ophthalmological risks linked to horse riding and calls attention to the necessity for suitable headgear to prevent neuro-ophthalmic injuries.
- The study further questions the sufficiency of the existing laws and regulations regarding the use of helmets and examines whether the helmets currently being used are of optimum standard.
Methodology Adopted
- The study included a thorough review of the records of a neuro-ophthalmologist in Adelaide over a period of 20 years.
- The data collected included 22 patients who suffered neuro-ophthalmological sequelae of head injuries as a result of horse-related accidents.
Results of the Study
- Out of the 22 patients, one had been involved in three separate accidents.
- Among them, seven were professional riders and 15 were amateurs.
- It was found that in 20 of the 24 accidents, the patients were either thrown or had fallen from the horse.
- Helmets were worn at the time of the accident in 15 instances.
- All patients had suffered closed head injuries of varying severity, with the most common neuro-ophthalmological complication being a fourth-nerve palsy in 11 patients.
- Significant vision loss was observed in five patients, two of which were severe enough to qualify for a blind pension.
Conclusion of the Study
- The study concludes that horse riding and work around horses is an activity with inherent dangers.
- While previous studies have shown that wearing protective headgear reduces the risk and severity of head injuries, the study found that helmet use needs to be more strongly promoted.
- The current laws and practices regarding helmet use vary and appear to be inadequate.
- Progress has been made in the standard for equestrian safety helmets which has increased a rider’s chances of surviving a severe impact.
- However, severe brain injuries have still been observed in wearers of approved helmets, indicating a need for further research to ensure the optimum degree of protection.
Cite This Article
APA
Fleming PR, Crompton JL, Simpson DA.
(2001).
Neuro-ophthalmological sequelae of horse-related accidents.
Clin Exp Ophthalmol, 29(4), 208-212.
https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1442-9071.2001.00430.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Royal Adelaide Hospital, University of Adelaide, South Australia, Australia.
MeSH Terms
- Accidental Falls
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Animals
- Athletic Injuries / etiology
- Athletic Injuries / prevention & control
- Australia
- Child
- Child, Preschool
- Eye Injuries / etiology
- Eye Injuries / prevention & control
- Female
- Head Injuries, Closed / etiology
- Head Injuries, Closed / prevention & control
- Head Protective Devices / standards
- Head Protective Devices / statistics & numerical data
- Horses
- Humans
- Leisure Activities
- Male
- Middle Aged
Citations
This article has been cited 6 times.- Stier R, Tavassol F, Dupke C, Rüter M, Jehn P, Gellrich NC, Spalthoff S. Retrospective analysis of 15 years of horse-related maxillofacial fracture data at a major German trauma center. Eur J Trauma Emerg Surg 2022 Aug;48(4):2539-2546.
- Riley CB, Liddiard JR, Thompson K. A Cross-Sectional Study of Horse-Related Injuries in Veterinary and Animal Science Students at an Australian University. Animals (Basel) 2015 Sep 25;5(4):951-64.
- Selassie AW, Wilson DA, Pickelsimer EE, Voronca DC, Williams NR, Edwards JC. Incidence of sport-related traumatic brain injury and risk factors of severity: a population-based epidemiologic study. Ann Epidemiol 2013 Dec;23(12):750-6.
- Cowley S, Bowman B, Lawrance M. Injuries in the Victorian thoroughbred racing industry. Br J Sports Med 2007 Oct;41(10):639-43; discussion 643.
- Toth C, McNeil S, Feasby T. Central nervous system injuries in sport and recreation: a systematic review. Sports Med 2005;35(8):685-715.
- Mohammadi M, Attar A, Mahmoudinezhad G, Shahesmaeilinejad A, Zhu D, Fowler B, Farsi Y, Shirvani M, Gohari M. Clinical characteristics and visual outcomes of animal-induced ocular injuries: a prospective multicenter study in Iran. Front Med (Lausanne) 2024;11:1462252.
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