Hostname: page-component-586b7cd67f-vdxz6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-28T13:25:38.768Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Ophthalmic injuries from a TASER

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  21 May 2015

Jay S. Han ,
Anil Chopra  and
David Carr
Jay S. Han
Affiliation:
Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ont. Department of Anesthesia, University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.
Anil Chopra
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.
David Carr*
Affiliation:
Department of Emergency Medicine, University Health Network, Toronto, Ont.
*
Department of Emergency Medicine, Toronto General Hospital, 200 Elizabeth St. RFE GS 433, Toronto ON M5G 2C4; [email protected]

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the ‘Save PDF’ action button.

The TASER (TASER International) is an energy-conducting weapon, that is becoming more frequently used by law enforcement officials to subdue combative individuals. Though generally regarded as a safe alternative, the use of such weapons has been reported to cause serious injuries. We describe a case in which ocular injuries were sustained by impalement with a TASER dart. Emergency physicians should be aware of the potential for serious ophthalmic injuries from TASERs and how such injuries should be managed.

Keywords

TASER injuryophthalmic traumapenetrating eye traumaglobe rupturetraumatic mydriasiselectrical ophthalmic injury
Type
Case Report • Rapport de cas
Information
Canadian Journal of Emergency Medicine , Volume 11 , Issue 1 , January 2009 , pp. 90 - 93
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Association of Emergency Physicians 2009

References

1.United States Government Accountability Office. TASER weapons: use of TASERs by selected law enforcement agencies. Washington (DC): The Office; 2005. Available:http://www.gao.gov /new.items/d05464.pdf (accessed 2008 Nov 11).Google Scholar
2.Ho, JD, Dawes, DM, Bultman, LL, et al.Respiratory effect of prolonged electrical weapon application on human volunteers. Acad Emerg Med 2007;14:197–201.Google Scholar
3.Ho, JD, Miner, JR, Lakireddy, DR,et al.Cardiovascular and physiologic effects of conducted electrical weapon discharge in resting adults. Acad Emerg Med 2006;13:589–95.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
4.Vilke, GM, Sloane, CM, Bouto, KD, et al.Physiological effects of a conducted electrical weapon on human subjects. Ann Emerg Med 2007;50:569–75.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
5.Winslow, JE, Bozeman, WP, Fortner, MC, et al.Thoracic compression fractures as a result of shock from a conducted energy weapon: a case report. Ann Emerg Med 2007;50:584–6.Google Scholar
6.Mehl, LE.Electrical injury from TASERing and miscarriage. Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand 1992;71:118–23.Google Scholar
7.Strote, J, Range, HH. TASER use in restraint-related deaths. Pre-hosp Emerg Care 2006;10:447–50.Google Scholar
8.Kornblum, RN, Reddy, SK.Effects of the TASER in fatalities involving police confrontation. J Forensic Sci 1991;36:434–8.Google Scholar
9.Bleetman, A, Steyn, R, Lee, C.Introduction of the TASER into British policing. Implications for UK emergency departments: an overview of electronic weaponry. Emerg Med J 2004;21:136–40.Google Scholar
10.Koscove, EM.The TASER weapon: a new emergency medicine problem. Ann Emerg Med 1985;14:1205–8.Google Scholar
11.Miller, BK, Goldstein, MH, Monshizadeh, R, et al.Ocular manifestations of electrical injury: a case report and review of the literature. CLAO J 2002;28:224–7.Google Scholar
12.Grover, S, Goodwin, J.Lightning and electrical injuries: neuro-ophthalmologic aspects. Semin Neurol 1995;15:335–41.Google Scholar
13.Kobernick, M.Electrical injuries: pathophysiology and emergency management. Ann Emerg Med 1982;11:633–8.CrossRefGoogle ScholarPubMed
14.Ng, W, Chehade, M.TASER penetrating ocular injury. Am J Ophthalmol 2005;139:713–5.Google Scholar
15.Chen, SL, Richard, CK, Murthy, RC, et al.Perforating ocular injury by TASER. Clin Experiment Ophthalmol 2006;34:378–80.Google Scholar
16.Seth, RK, Abedi, G, Daccache, AJ, et al.Cataract secondary to electrical shock from a TASER gun. J Cataract Refract Surg 2007;33:1664–5.Google Scholar
17.Martinez, JA, Nguyen, T.Electrical injuries. South Med J 2000;93:1165–8.Google Scholar
18.Novelline, RA, Liebig, T, Jordan, J, et al.Computed tomography of ocular trauma. Emerg Radiol 1994;1:56–67.Google Scholar
19.Sabaci, G, Bayer, A, Mutlu, FM, et al.Endophthalmitis after deadly-weapon-related open-globe injuries: risk factors, value of prophylactic antibiotics, and visual outcomes. Am J Ophthalmol 2002;133:62–9.Google Scholar
20.Thompson, WS, Rubsamen, PE, Flynn, HW, et al.Endophthalmitis after penetrating trauma. Risk factors and visual acuity outcomes. Ophthalmology 1995;102:1696–701.Google Scholar
21.Schmidseder, E, Miño de Kaspar, H, Klauss, V, et al.Post-traumatic endophthalmitis after penetrating eye injuries. Risk factors, microbiological diagnosis and functional outcome. Ophthalmologe 1998;95:153–7.Google Scholar