Citation

sele S, Stein KM, Peuser A, Miltner E, Burk RO. Ophthalmologe 2000; 97(12): 874-877.

Vernacular Title

Erblindung durch Airbag bei Bagatellunfall.

Affiliation

ts-Augenklinik Heidelberg, Im Neuenheimer Feld 400, 69120 Heidelberg.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2000, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

11227162

Abstract

PURPOSE: Installation of airbags has reduced the rate of fatal injuries in severe automobile accidents. We report, however, severe ocular injuries in a minor accident as the result of an airbag. CASE REPORT: A front passenger suffered a blunt ocular trauma of her right eye during a collision. The approaching speed was about 31 km/h. The maximum change of velocity in direction of the impact was 19 km/h. Color traces were found on the upper rim of the airbag, apparently from the patient's eye shadow. RESULTS: In the emergency room, visual acuity was reduced to light perception. There was endothelial contusion, traumatic mydriasis, and lens subluxation. A sclopetarian retinopathy developed with a chorioretinal scar. Eight months after the accident visual acuity remained at light projection only. CONCLUSIONS: The eye injuries had very probably been caused by the deploying airbag. Improvements are a better geometry of deployment (e.g., tethered airbags), release at higher impacts only, and "intelligent systems" with additional sensors to avoid potentially hazardous airbag inflation in minor accidents.