Analysis of facial injuries requiring ophthalmological care due to frontal vehicle collisions

Abstract

Motor vehicle collisions are responsible for a large number of ocular injuries. Although ocular injuries require an early ophthalmological examination at the time of trauma to detect any type of ocular dysfunction, some ophthalmological abnormalities are not detected after the facial injury owing to failure of referral ophthalmologists. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of requiring ophthalmological care by evaluating the patterns and severity of ocular and severe facial injuries from real-world vehicle collisions in Japan. We collected data on vehicle passengers with any facial injuries who were involved in frontal collisions. Data were obtained from in-depth data records from the Institute for Traffic Accident Research and Data Analysis (ITARDA), Japan from 1993 to 2005. Collision information and victims’ medical data were reviewed. The 226 victims had a mean age of 33.3 ± 14.9 years with an equivalent barrier speed of 35.2 ± 13.0 km/h. Thirty (13.3%) victims suffered ocular injury or fractures in the upper or middle face (OIFF). Victims with OIFF had a significantly higher severity of injuries, especially in the face and lower extremities, and suffered from a higher speed of collisions than those without OIFF (p<0.001). Victims wearing seat belts had a significantly lower prevalence of having OIFF than those not wearing seat belts. Most of the victims with OIFF (29/30) were involved in collisions without deployment of airbags. To prevent severe ocular injuries, correct use of seat belts with airbag deployment is required. Additionally, the present study enhances that more victims with OIFF are cared for by ophthalmologists immediately after the collision, improving their quality of life and preventing conflicts owing to inadequate medical management.