Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology (BETT)

The BETT was created by Kuhn et al in 1996 to provide a simple, clear definition of all injury types and place the injuries with a comprehensive framework. While attempts have been made to improve the BETT system, none have been consistently incorporated.

Terms in the BETT

Eyewall- Sclera and Cornea

Closed Globe Injury- No full thickness injury

Open Globe Injury- Full thickness injury

Closed- Globe subgroups

Contusion- No full thickness injury (generally a blunt injury)

Lamellar laceration- Partial thickness injury of the eye wall (generally a sharp injury)

Open-globe subgroups

Rupture- Full-thickness injury of the eyewall by a blunt object

Laceration- Full-thickness injury of the eyewall caused by a sharp object

Laceration subgroups

Penetrating injury- Single laceration of the eye wall; i.e. no exit wound, if more than one entrance wound then must be from a different agent

Intra-ocular foreign body- retained foreign objects causing entrance wounds

Perforating injury- two full thickness lacerations with an entrance and exit injury

References

1. Kuhn F, Morris R, Witherspoon CD, Heimann K, Jeffers JB, Treister G.A standardized classification of ocular trauma. Ophthalmology. 1996 Feb;103(2):240-3.

2. Kuhn F1 Morris R, Witherspoon CD, Heimann K, Jeffers JB, Treister G. A standardized classification of ocular trauma. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 1996 Jun;234(6):399-403.

3. Pieramici DJ, Sternberg P Jr, Aaberg TM Sr, Bridges WZ Jr, Capone A Jr, Cardillo JA, de Juan E Jr, Kuhn F, Meredith TA, Mieler WF, Olsen TW, Rubsamen P, Stout T. A system for classifying mechanical injuries of the eye (globe). The Ocular Trauma Classification Group.Am J Ophthalmol. 1997 Jun;123(6):820-31.

4. Kuhn F, Morris R, Witherspoon CD, Mester V.J Fr Ophtalmol. The Birmingham Eye Trauma Terminology system (BETT). 2004 Feb;27(2):206-10.