Abstract
Purpose. To describe a range of ocular injuries resulting from airbag deployment and the role of the ophthalmologist in patient management. Method s . Entry criteria into this series included any patient ages 18-65 who presented to the UTHSCA ER after having been involved in a motor vehicle accident with airbag deployment. Patients were prospectively identified from 7/94-96. Each patient received a full eye exam within 24-48 hours of the accident, whether or not ocular complaints were present. Results. A total of-15 patients were identified. 9/15(60%) had apparent ocular injury. These included subconjunctival hemorrhage 5/15(33.3%), mechanical corneal abrasion 3/15(20%), chemical injuries 3/15(20%), severe corneal edema 5/15(33.3%), hyphema 3/15(20%), iridodialysis 1/L5(6.7%), cyclodialysis 1/15(6.7%), vitreous hemorrhage 1/15(6.7%), subretinal hemorrhage 1/15(6.7%), and periorbitai contusion 5/15(33.3%). 5/6(83.3%) of patients without ocular complaints had abnormalities on exam. Conclusions. Airbag deployment may result in devastating ocular injuries: Although minimal or no ocular injury was demonstrated in patients who were conscious without significant ocular complaints, it is imperative the ophthalmologist be consulted, especially when the patient is unable to respond secondary to altered mental status. Ocular injuries may not be apparent to nonspecialists when vision can not be assessed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Journal | Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science |
| Volume | 38 |
| Issue number | 4 |
| State | Published - 1997 |
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ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Ophthalmology
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Role of the ophthalmologist in trauma resulting from airbag deployment. / Baca, W.; Starck, T.; Bauer, C. R.
In: Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Vol. 38, No. 4, 1997.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Role of the ophthalmologist in trauma resulting from airbag deployment
AU - Baca, W.
AU - Starck, T.
AU - Bauer, C. R.
PY - 1997
Y1 - 1997
N2 - Purpose. To describe a range of ocular injuries resulting from airbag deployment and the role of the ophthalmologist in patient management. Method s . Entry criteria into this series included any patient ages 18-65 who presented to the UTHSCA ER after having been involved in a motor vehicle accident with airbag deployment. Patients were prospectively identified from 7/94-96. Each patient received a full eye exam within 24-48 hours of the accident, whether or not ocular complaints were present. Results. A total of-15 patients were identified. 9/15(60%) had apparent ocular injury. These included subconjunctival hemorrhage 5/15(33.3%), mechanical corneal abrasion 3/15(20%), chemical injuries 3/15(20%), severe corneal edema 5/15(33.3%), hyphema 3/15(20%), iridodialysis 1/L5(6.7%), cyclodialysis 1/15(6.7%), vitreous hemorrhage 1/15(6.7%), subretinal hemorrhage 1/15(6.7%), and periorbitai contusion 5/15(33.3%). 5/6(83.3%) of patients without ocular complaints had abnormalities on exam. Conclusions. Airbag deployment may result in devastating ocular injuries: Although minimal or no ocular injury was demonstrated in patients who were conscious without significant ocular complaints, it is imperative the ophthalmologist be consulted, especially when the patient is unable to respond secondary to altered mental status. Ocular injuries may not be apparent to nonspecialists when vision can not be assessed.
AB - Purpose. To describe a range of ocular injuries resulting from airbag deployment and the role of the ophthalmologist in patient management. Method s . Entry criteria into this series included any patient ages 18-65 who presented to the UTHSCA ER after having been involved in a motor vehicle accident with airbag deployment. Patients were prospectively identified from 7/94-96. Each patient received a full eye exam within 24-48 hours of the accident, whether or not ocular complaints were present. Results. A total of-15 patients were identified. 9/15(60%) had apparent ocular injury. These included subconjunctival hemorrhage 5/15(33.3%), mechanical corneal abrasion 3/15(20%), chemical injuries 3/15(20%), severe corneal edema 5/15(33.3%), hyphema 3/15(20%), iridodialysis 1/L5(6.7%), cyclodialysis 1/15(6.7%), vitreous hemorrhage 1/15(6.7%), subretinal hemorrhage 1/15(6.7%), and periorbitai contusion 5/15(33.3%). 5/6(83.3%) of patients without ocular complaints had abnormalities on exam. Conclusions. Airbag deployment may result in devastating ocular injuries: Although minimal or no ocular injury was demonstrated in patients who were conscious without significant ocular complaints, it is imperative the ophthalmologist be consulted, especially when the patient is unable to respond secondary to altered mental status. Ocular injuries may not be apparent to nonspecialists when vision can not be assessed.
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M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:33749083792
VL - 38
JO - Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
JF - Investigative Ophthalmology and Visual Science
SN - 0146-0404
IS - 4
ER -