OCULAR INJURIES ASSOCIATED WITH EYEGLASS WEAR AND AIRBAG INFLATION

Objective: The purpose of this report is to detail three cases of seri ous ocular injury associated with eyeglass wear during airbag inflatio n following motor vehicle crashes. Design: Although there were too few cases to provide valid statistics, an attempt was made to determine i f there were characteristics common to the glasses or accidents that m ould provide preventive information. Materials and Methods: The emerge ncy room records were reviewed for a 4-year period and cases were extr acted involving ocular injuries related to airbag inflation. Fourteen cases were found, and three patients were wearing glasses. These cases mere studied in detail. Measurements and Main Results: All three pati ents sustained serious, vision-compromising ocular damage. Conclusions : Eyeglass wear presents an additional risk factor for ocular injury d uring airbag inflation. Frame damage and lens shatter provide potentia l for both blunt and penetrating types of ocular injury.