Rugby gouging hits headlines

South African flanker Schalk Burger's eye-gouging of British and Irish Lions player Luke Fitzgerald in the Lions' second test match has raised the issue of eye safety in rugby.

South African coach Peter de Villiers appeared to condone gouging: 'Why don't we all go to the nearest ballet shop, get some nice tutus and get some great dancing going on? No eye-gouging, no tackling, no nothing.'

Optician's Bill Harvey said: 'Pressing or tearing at an opponent's eyes is obviously a considerable threat to vision. As well as the risk of localised corneal abrasion and subsequent infection or inflammation, there have been reports of retinal detachment subsequent to pressure applied during a rugby match gouging incident (British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2000 94 65-66).'