Glenn Cockerham, MD: Occult Eye Injury Following Combat Blast Exposure
Blasts that are sufficient to cause brain injury to a protected soldier are sufficient to cause occult ocular injuries. Many soldiers that are home from Iraq and Afghanistan have been exposed to such blasts and many have no visual complaints. Good visual acuity and a lack of symptoms can mask a range of problems such as retinal tears, traumatic glaucoma, choroidal ruptures and more. Dr. Cockerham discusses non-ophthalmic symptoms to look for in a patient, as well as how to refer patients who are found to have occult eye damage.