This retrospective study described prognostic indicators and visual outcomes of dogs with sports ball projectile ocular injuries. Closed-globe injuries (n = 12) were more common than open-globe injuries (n = 6); were commonly presented with traumatic uveitis, hyphema, and subconjunctival hemorrhage; and were medically managed. Vision was maintained in 67% of cases. Open-globe injuries included corneal lacerations and scleral rupture, and all affected eyes required enucleation except one, which was managed with corneal laceration repair and third eyelid flap placement prior to referral (vision was maintained).
Injuries from small, dense sports balls (eg, golf balls, baseballs) were associated with a guarded prognosis and required more aggressive medical management compared with injuries from lighter balls (eg, tennis balls, toy balls). Traumatic uveitis was the most common initial ocular lesion and had varying visual outcomes. Hyphema was the second most common initial ocular injury and carried a poorer visual prognosis than traumatic uveitis.