Grasping When Eye Surgery Is Necessary After A Corneal Baseball Injury

Baseball is a fun sport that is typically not very injurious to the players. However, it is possible for some to get hit in the head by an errant pitch, a hit, or even a poorly thrown ball. As a result, it is important to know if your cornea has been scratched and when surgery is necessary.

Scratched Eyes Are Common In Baseball

Though there are no known statistics on common eye injuries in baseball, getting hit in the head by a throw may cause severe injuries to the cornea. This section of the eye is the part that filters light and makes it possible for you to see. It is the most commonly injured area of the eye simply because it is the part that lies most on the surface.

Typically, a scratched eye will be painful for a temporary period. It may require taking time off from playing baseball or practicing. Some people may need to wear a patch to avoid getting dust or dirt on the scratch. However, some complications may occur with this type of injury.

Complications May Occur

While a scratched cornea is usually not a serious injury it can be problematic if dangerous complications occur. For example, the cornea could get infected with bacteria and spread throughout your eye. The scratch could even continue outward and seriously impact your vision for years to come.

Even worse, the initial impact injury caused by the baseball may have been strong enough to either detach the retina or cause vision-threatening scratches. As a result, it is important to understand what surgery options you can choose.

There Are Several Options To Consider

When considering a corneal transplant surgery, there are several options to consider. If the strike by the baseball caused serious enough damage, a person may need full cornea replacement. This typically occurs if the cornea has been ripped in several places and won't heal with a partial transplant. Often, this is the best choice for those who have been hit by a baseball.

However, it is also possible to get a partial transplant to replace certain layers of the cornea. This type is typically used if the deeper layers of the cornea have been damaged without seriously impacting the inner parts. These surgeries may be more likely if the baseball struck the side of the head, rather than directly on the front of the head.

So don't hesitate to talk to an eye surgery expert, such as at Dixie Ophthalmic Specialists at Zion Eye Institute, if you believe you need this type of surgery. They can help diagnose a serious issue and fix it before it becomes too problematic to fix.  

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