Abstract ID: 26-452
The Impact of World War II on the Development of Oculoplastic Surgery
Author: Jasmine Brown, M.D., M.Phil. Base Hospital / Institution: Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University
Presentation Type: ePoster Presentation
Purpose
To examine how World War II (WWII) (1939-1945) ocular injuries, such as ruptured globes and enucleations, influenced oculoplastic surgical management.
Methods
A mixed-methods literature review was conducted by analyzing data on PubMed and Embase from 1939 to present. Search terms included “history,” “World War II,” “war,” “ophthalmology,” “oculoplastic surgery,” “ocular injury,” “ruptured globe,” “enucleation,” and “military.” Sources were evaluated for the following points of interest: 1. Specific physicians who influenced oculoplastics due to WWII, 2. Surgical technique innovations, and 3. Prosthetic and implant innovations.
Results
Of 412 articles and books reviewed between February 23, 2026 and May 10, 2026, fifteen were deemed relevant. Early 20th century innovations in military technology, such as explosives and long-range artillery, led to higher rates of ocular injuries. In the 19th century, eye injuries only accounted for 1% of all battlefield injuries. In WWII, this increased to 2.0-2.5%. In American forces alone, more than 15,000 combatants in WWII were blinded, and approximately 5,000 eyes were enucleated. Shell fragmentation injuries from tank and artillery accounted for as high as 80% of eye injuries.
In 1946, Albert Ruedemann described a technique that improved prosthetic motility by using a plastic eye implant anteriorly and a tantalum plate posteriorly which was attached to the rectus muscles. In 1949, Norman Cutler described a technique to use a universal implant, made of methyl methacrylate, that was sutured to Tenon’s capsule and conjunctiva following enucleation or evisceration.
Conclusion
Ocular injuries increased during WWII compared to previous wars. Many ophthalmologists developed advancements in oculoplastics through surgical innovation during this period.
Additional Authors
| First name | Last name | Base Hospital / Institution |
|---|---|---|
| Chad Y. | Lewis, M.D., M.P.H. | Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University |
| Andrea | Kossler, M.D. | Byers Eye Institute at Stanford University |