Air Bags Help to Prevent Eye Injuries

A recent study showed that the incidence of eye injures from automobile crashes is significantly lower when air bags are employed.

The authors of the study reviewed patients hospitalized following automobile crashes, from 1997-1999, listed in the Henry Ford Hospital Trauma Registry (Detroit) database. Of 638 motor vehicle crashes where air bags were not deployed, 80 people of nearly 13 percent of those hospitalized for car crash injuries received ocular injuries. Of the

199 car crashes where air bags were deployed, only six or 5 percent of the patients received ocular injuries. Actual injuries from the air bags themselves were rare, but they do occur and can be serious

(Sources: Ophthalmology, December 2002; AAO News Release, Dec. 3, 2002).

The Visionary, published as a service of the Illinois Society for the Prevention of Blindness,
is available upon request. The information contained in this issue,
taken from sources considered to be accurate,
does not replace the need for professional eye care consultations and treatments.

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