High-Pressure Water Jet Ocular Injuries during Riot Control: A Case Series

Introduction: Eye injuries caused by a high-pressure water jet are rarely reported and mostly occur in sporadic trauma. This study aimed to describe various ocular injuries caused by water jets, with a particular emphasis on injuries inflicted by water cannon vehicles used during riots. Case Presentations: This case series presents eleven eyes of 9 patients injured from a direct high-pressure water jet used by the police in Israel as a riot control measure during a demonstration. All patients admitted to the emergency room with blunt ocular trauma had undergone clinical examination by an ophthalmologist. Of which, hyphema was the most common ocular injury observed, affecting 8 out of the 11 eyes examined, followed by traumatic mydriasis and vitreous hemorrhage in 54% and 36% of patients, respectively. In this series, 2 of 9 patients required ocular surgery. Injuries requiring surgical intervention were retinal detachment, lens dislocation, and vitreous hemorrhage. Conclusion: Water jet injuries may inflict severe damage to the globe and orbital structures. Care should be taken in preventing such injuries inflicted by water cannon vehicles used during riots.