Abstract

Of all sports, the so-called contact sports are those in which the athlete's eye is particularly at risk. In boxing where the face is the main target to hit, the eye, due to its position, is one of the most exposed organs. The authors report the results of research carried out between 1992 and 1993 at the Ophthalmological Clinic of the University of Turin, Italy, that involved 64 boxers, belonging to 12 different sports associations in Piemont. The sample included both active (37, of whom 1 professional) and ex-boxers (27, of whom 10 amateurs and 17 professionals). The active boxers were aged between 15 and 32 years, whereas the ex-boxers were aged between 33 and 70 years. Research protocol consisted of 1) ophthalmological examination including: objective eye examination, refraction and acuity tests, tonometry, exophthalmometry, gonioscopy, occular fundus examination with exploration of the retinal periphery (with Goldmann three mirror lens); 2) orthoptic examination including: cover test, estimation of convergence, occular motility and stereopsis, definition of fusional amplitude, occular motility test (SEM and FEM), NOC; 3) other funtional tests: computerized visual field, electrophysiological tests (PEV and PERG), pupillography. Case history also included information about each boxer's sport activity (number of fights, number of knock-outs, date of the last fight, etc.). The results of the survey confirm the existence of injuries in the visual system of boxers, especially among professionals. In particular, the functional analysis (PEV, PERG and pupillography) showed suffering of the ganglionic cells of the retina and reduction of pupil dynamics. The orthoptic examination pointed to a fusional amplitude deficiency, whereas objective eye examination showed alterations at different levels (orbital arch, conjunctiva, iris, lens and, especially, retina). Among the examined boxers, three had suffered retinal detachement, due to boxing. The found alterations were generally asymptomatic and concerned amateurs as well. The author on the basis of the results, concludes by emphasizing the current regulations, pertinent to the occular fitness. In his judgement the regulations need to be more specific (particularly, as far as examination skill, periodicity and, above all, way of execution of the foreseen examinations is concerned) and possibly extended, at least in part, to amateurs, for whom no specialistic examination of the visual system is required. The author, therefore, wishes and suggests a revision of the current regulations, as well as more attention paid upon this matter by sports physicians, referees, experts, instructors, and boxers, themselves. Verf.-Referat