Abstract | OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association between specific occupant, collision, and vehicle characteristics and the risk of motor vehicle collision (MVC)-related eye injury. METHODS: The 1988-2001 National Automotive Sampling System Crashworthiness Data System files were used. The Crashworthiness Data System is a national probability sample of passenger vehicles involved in police-reported tow-away MVCs. The risk of eye injury was calculated according to specific occupant (eg, age, seat belt use) and collision (eg, DeltaV [estimated change in velocity], vehicular intrusion) characteristics. The association between eye injury and these characteristics was calculated using risk ratios and associated 95% confidence intervals. RESULTS: The incidence of eye injuries in MVCs has progressively increased since 1998. Frontal air bag deployment was associated with a statistically significant, 2-fold (risk ratio, 2.13 [95% confidence interval, 1.56-2.91]) increased risk of eye injury, whereas seat belt use was associated with a 2-fold (risk ratio, 2.17 [95% confidence interval, 1.89-2.44]) reduced eye injury risk. In late-model vehicles, frontal air bags are the most common cause of MVC-related eye injury. Older age, female sex, seat position, vehicle weight, and collision severity were also associated with eye injury risk. CONCLUSIONS:
Seat belt use is the most effective means of occupant protection against MVC-related eye injury. For front-seated occupants in frontal collisions, the adverse effect of frontal air bags on the risk of eye injury should be considered against their protective effect for fatal injury.
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Authors | Gerald McGwin Jr, Cynthia Owsley |
Journal | Archives of ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
(Arch Ophthalmol)
Vol. 123
Issue 1
Pg. 89-95
(Jan 2005)
ISSN: 0003-9950 [Print] United States |
PMID | 15642817
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)
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Topics |
- Accidents, Traffic
(statistics & numerical data)
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Age Factors
- Air Bags
(statistics & numerical data)
- Automobile Driving
(statistics & numerical data)
- Cohort Studies
- Eye Injuries
(epidemiology, prevention & control)
- Female
- Humans
- Incidence
- Male
- Risk Factors
- Seat Belts
(statistics & numerical data)
- Sex Factors
- United States
(epidemiology)
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