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Stefan M. Duma, PhD; M. Virginia Jernigan, BS; Joel D. Stitzel, MS; Ian P. Herring, DVM; John S. Crowley, MD; Fred T. Brozoski, MS; Cameron R. Bass, PhD

Arch Ophthalmol. 2002;120:1517-1522.

Objective  To investigate eye injuries resulting from frontal automobile crashes and to determine the effects of frontal air bags.

Methods  The National Automotive Sampling System database files from January 1, 1993, through December 31, 1999, were examined in a 3-part study that included an investigation of 22 236 individual crashes that occurred in the United States. A new 4-level eye injury severity scale that quantifies injuries based on recovery time, need for surgery, and possible loss of sight was developed.

Results  Of all occupants who were exposed to an air bag deployment, 3% sustained an eye injury. In contrast, 2% of occupants not exposed to an air bag deployment sustained an eye injury. A closer examination of the type of eye injuries showed that there was a statistically significant increase in the risk of corneal abrasions for occupants who were exposed to an air bag compared with those who were not (P = .03). Of occupants exposed to an air bag deployment, 0.5% sustained a corneal abrasion compared with 0.04% of occupants who were not exposed to an air bag.

Conclusions  Using the new injury levels, it was shown that although occupants exposed to an air bag deployment had a higher risk of sustaining minor eye injuries, the air bag appears to have provided a beneficial exchange by reducing the number of severe eye injuries.

From the Impact Biomechanics Laboratory, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg (Drs Duma and Herring, Ms Jernigan, and Mr Stitzel); the US Army Aeromedical Research Laboratory, Fort Rucker, Ala (Dr Crowley and Mr Brozoski); and the Automobile Safety Laboratory, University of Virginia, Charlottesville (Dr Bass).

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