Vanita Parekh^1
1Canberra Hospital

Lid and conjunctival injuries (LACI) frequently occur during assault and are often accompanied by non-fatal strangulation. 

LACI mandate comprehensive eye examination and should be systematically photographed. 

An analysis of LACI in a clinical audit of 85 sequential non-sexual assault presentations. 

LACI was present in 26.9% of general assault cases, and 47.4% of LACI patients also experienced non-fatal strangulation (NFS). LACI was sustained in the context of domestic family violence (DFV) in 62.9% of cases. Females made up 69.2% of LACI patients, with those between 14 and 29 years most at risk. Children were present in 12.8% of cases, 78.2% of perpetrators were male, and 44.9% of patients had previously been assaulted by the same perpetrator.

LACI is frequently associated with NFS and/or DFV. Since NFS increases future homicide attempts and events more than 6-fold, LACI is an important signal about a patient’s homicide risk, expanding the dimensions of the care needed. Those experiencing LACI during an assault also need to be referred for comprehensive eye examination as soon as possible. With consent, systematic forensic photography of LACI enables its assessment and documentation, which assists the legal process. These conclusions should drive legislative consideration and reform, plus expanded education for clinicians and police.