Eye Injury from Airbags in Car Accidents

Even though airbags are part of the passenger safety system in your car, a recent report in Survey of Ophthalmology suggests that the incidence of eye injury and facial trauma from airbags is actually increasing. Why is this be happening?

About Airbags & Eye Injury
Airbags were originally designed as a supplemental safety system to seatbelts-not a replacement for seatbelts in order to help protect your head during high impact frontal collisions and crashes. Because airbags are supplemental-NOT replacements, it is still critical that all passengers use seatbelts even if your car has airbags in the front, back and sides of the passenger cabin. What you need to know is that seatbelts restrict and prevent you from being thrown forward forcefully and colliding with the rearward inflating airbags as they are deployed during a car accident. Airbag deployment and passenger collision with airbags has been reported to cause eye injuries including corneal abrasions, alkali burns and the serious effects of eye compression such as retinal tears, retinal and vitreous hemorrhages, retinal detachment and even cataracts. SO-the message is clear. For eye protection and safety in motor vehicle accidents, all occupants of cars should wear safety belts at all times even if your vehicle has airbags!

If you or someone you know has questions about eye injury from car crashes or accidents or more specifically from airbag impact, please schedule an eye examination at Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham by calling 205-930-0930, visiting Alabama Eye & Cataract Center, Google+ or www.facebook.com/michelsonlaservision.

Alabama Eye & Cataract Center in Birmingham is located at UAB-Highlands, 1201 11th Avenue S, Suite 501, Birmingham, Alabama 35205 and staffed by UAB Medicine affiliated ophthalmologists Marc Michelson, M.D. and Tyler Hall, M.D.