Look for sub-conjunctival hemorrhages (bleeding in the white of the eye). Some victims/survivors may complain of soreness in the eye after being in detention over prolonged periods of time; on examination, there is redness of the eye and often no other finding. Retinal hemorrhages in children are very suggestive of violent shaking.
Direct trauma to the eyes can present in many ways, including conjunctival hemorrhage, lens dislocation, subhyaloid hemorrhage, retrobulbar hemorrhage, retinal hemorrhage, traumatic optic neuropathy, ruptured globe , choroidal hemorrhage, irregular pupils and visual field loss. Ophthalmologic consultation should be obtained whenever there is a suspicion of ocular trauma or disease. Radiological techniques must be used to confirm orbital fractures and soft tissue injuries to the bulbar and retrobulbar structures. Forced solar gazing can cause eye damage, including burns to the retina. Retinal examination should also be conducted to rule out retinal bleeding, which may be associated with whiplash/impact head trauma.
Acute eye symptoms in torture survivors are conjunctivitis, probably caused by dirty cloth used for blindfolding, which the victims often have to wear for many days and nights on end. Very few long-lasting eye symptoms that are possibly related to torture have been described. Perron-Buscail, Lesueur, Chollet, and Arne (1995) observed opacities in the cornea 10 years after electric torture in the eyes, influencing the vision.
Comments