Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:The study was designed to evaluate the number of airbag injuries to the eye in America (1997-2001). Methods:We reviewed 17344 files from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) using the Crashworthiness Data System (CDS) of the National Automotive Sampling System (NASS) from 1997-2001. Results:We found that there were 475 total airbag injuries involving the eye in 1997-2001 (2.73%). Of these, 61/475 (12.8%) involved superficial eyelid injuries (minor injury type A). 338/475 (71.2%) involved superficial injuries to the cornea, anterior chamber (moderate injury type B). There were 76/475 (15.6%) severe injuries, involving the retina, vitreous (C). Of these, there was 1 retinal laceration and 1 vitreous injury. 245 of these injuries involved OD, while 211 involved OS; 19 were unknown. The greater the height, the worse the injury, comparing age-matched A vs C (p=0.0203), the greater the weight, the worse the injury, comparing age matched A vs C, (p=0.0215). Conclusion:We conclude that severe airbag injuries involving the retina-vitreous interface are rare (1.7%). Most reported airbag injuries involve the adnexae and orbit. Although severe eye trauma can result (e.g.. enucleation, optic avulsion, detached retina, retinal hemorrhage, etc), the majority of eye injuries is less severe.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: pre • trauma • clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: sys