CORNEOSCLERAL LACERATION CAUSED BY AIR-BAG TRAUMA

PURPOSE: To report a case of a corneoscleral laceration sustained as a direct result of inflation of a driver side air bag. METHODS: A patie nt who sustained a severe ocular injury in a low-speed motor vehicle a ccident underwent clinical and radiologic examination and subsequent t reatment. RESULTS: The left eye underwent primary repair of a complex corneoscleral laceration. Two weeks postoperatively, visual acuity in the left eye remained at bare hand motion. CONCLUSION: Although air-ba g-related eye trauma may be relatively infrequent, the severity of the injuries incurred warrant, research efforts to explore new air-bag de signs that minimize the risk of ocular injury.