Ocular injuries from exploding beverage bottles
B. J. Mondino, S. I. Brown and M. G. Grand
Exploding glass bottles filled with carbonated beverages cause serious
ocular injuries that have not received adequate attention in ophthalmic
publications. All three patients described in this article had corneal
lacerations and traumatic cataracts developed. One patient was left with an
inoperable retinal detachment. Beverage bottles may explode with normal
handling and without provocation. Manufacturing standards have just taken
effect that may help to eliminate defective bottles. The addition of
plastic sleeves to beverage bottles and the use of plastic shatterproof
bottles also reduce the hazard of explosions and high velocity fragments.
It is advisable to avoid subjecting beverage bottles to undue heat and
agitation and to direct the cap away from the face when opening the bottle.
