Eye Trauma in Mixed Martial Arts and Boxing

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate and compare eye and face trauma in mixed martial arts (MMA) and boxing.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Methods: Data from boxing and MMA competitions were extracted from the Nevada Athletic Commission (NAC) between 2000 and 2020. Details of competitions, contestants, outcomes, and injuries were extracted.

Results: In total 1539 boxing injuries (from 4313 contests) and 1442 MMA injuries (from 2704 contests) were identified. Boxing had higher eye injury rates compared to MMA ( p < 0.0001), with an odds ratio of 1.268 (95% CI, 1.114-1.444). Eye trauma represented 47.63% of boxing injuries and 25.59% of MMA injuries, with periocular lacerations being the most common eye injury in both. Orbital fractures represented 17.62% of eye injuries in MMA and 3.14% in boxing contests. However, 2%-3% were retinal in both sports, and 3.27% were glaucomatous in boxing. MMA contestants had an odds ratio of 1.823 (95% CI, 1.408-2.359) for requiring physician evaluation following an eye injury compared with boxing. MMA contestants also had a higher rate of face ( p < 0.0001) and body ( p < 0.0001) injuries. For both sports, an increased number of rounds and being the losing fighter were associated with increased odds of eye and face injury.

Conclusion: Although boxing has a higher rate of eye injuries, MMA eye injuries are more likely to require physician evaluation. MMA contestants also have a higher rate of orbital fractures and face and body trauma. A detailed postfight examination and long-term follow-up of ocular injury in combat sports will be vital in proposing reforms to prevent eye trauma.