Bilateral Hyphaemas Post Airbag-Deployment: A Case Report

Airbags were first patented in 1951. It was not until the 1990s that they were featured in most cars in Europe. The main purpose of airbags is to increase the surface area of contact during a RTA thereby spreading the force of the impact and thus reducing overall injury, yet they are still linked to ocular injuries and poor visual outcomes.

Prospective follow-up over 4 months of Mrs. J, a 70 year old female who was brought into the Accident and Emergency Department following a road traffic accident with minor facial injuries, non-perforating ocular injuries presenting as bilateral hyphaemas with reduced visual acuity in both eyes – HM in the right eye and PL in the left eye and secondary raised IOPs. During admission she had daily ocular examinations, VAs and IOP measurements, slit-lamp photographs, B-scans and received medical treatment.

During the follow up period, VAs improved from hand movements in the right eye and perception of light in the left eye to 6/9 PH both eyes. IOPs reduced significantly from 26/40 mm Hg to 10/10 mm Hg. The hyphaemas completely resolved and there was no vitreoretinal pathology.

Author(s): Partha Chakraborty

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