Citation

Rao SK, Greenberg PB, Filippopoulos T, Scott IU, Katsoulakis NP, Enzer YR. Ophthalmology 2007; 115(3): 573-576.e1.

Affiliation

Division of Ophthalmology, Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Rhode Island Hospital, Providence, Rhode Island.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2007, American Academy of Ophthalmology, Publisher Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.ophtha.2007.05.053

PMID

17765310

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the association between seatbelt use and (1) the spectrum of ocular injuries and (2) visual acuity outcomes after motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) with airbag deployment. DESIGN: Single-center retrospective observational case series. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-seven patients involved in MVAs with airbag deployment. METHODS: Medical record review of all patients evaluated after an MVA with airbag deployment between January, 1997, and August, 2005, at a single level 1 trauma center. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Type of ocular injury and visual acuity at 3 months after an MVA. RESULTS: Seventy-one percent of patients who did not wear seatbelts experienced type III ocular injuries compared with 31% who wore seatbelts (P<0.0002). Posterior segment injuries occurred only in patients who did not wear seatbelts. At the 3-month follow-up, 76% of patients who did not wear seatbelts achieved a visual acuity of 20/40 or better compared with 96% of patients who wore seatbelts (P>0.10); a visual acuity worse than 20/200 was measured in 14% and 0% of patients in the 2 groups, respectively (P<0.03). CONCLUSIONS: In the current study, the use of seatbelts was associated with less severe ocular injuries and better visual outcomes.

Language: en