The effects of depowered airbags on eye injuries in frontal automobile crashes

Work-related eye injuries treated in hospital emergency departments in the US

“…A series of new safety regulations with a goal of reducing the incidence of airbag-induced fatal and severe injuries to women and children, effective in 1998 model vehicles, allowed automobile manufactures to reduce the power of the deploying airbags and still meet the safety standards. It was found that the depowering airbags not only save lives but also reduce the risk of airbag-induced eye injuries [Duma et al, 2005]. The authors predicted that a continuing trend showing a decrease in airbag-induced eye injuries could be seen in the future because all new vehicles are all being equipped with a form of depowered airbags [Duma et al, 2005].…”

“…It was found that the depowering airbags not only save lives but also reduce the risk of airbag-induced eye injuries [Duma et al, 2005]. The authors predicted that a continuing trend showing a decrease in airbag-induced eye injuries could be seen in the future because all new vehicles are all being equipped with a form of depowered airbags [Duma et al, 2005].…”

Effects of Bracing on Human Kinematics in Low-Speed Frontal Sled Tests

“…The number of occupants sustaining injuries greatly exceeds fatalities in magnitude as 931,000 are injured in frontal collisions. 47 Injuries sustained in motor vehicle collisions range from extremity [20][21][22]28,29,39,42 and eye [23][24][25]27 injuries, to more serious head 17 and chest 26,34,40,41 injuries. The total economic cost incurred as a result of motor vehicle collisions in 2000 totaled $230.6 billion.…”

Biomechanical modeling of eye trauma for different orbit anthropometries

“…Motor vehicle crashes (Anderson et al, 2002;Duma and Crandall, 2000;Duma et al, 2002Duma et al, , 1996Duma et al, , 2005Fukagawa et al, 1993;Kuhn et al, 1994;Lehto et al, 2003;Lueder, 2000;Muller-Jensen and Allmaras, 1969;Rao et al, 2008), military operations (Biehl et al, 1999;Colyer et al, 2008;Heier et al, 1993;Mader et al, 1993Mader et al, , 2006Thach et al, 2008;Weichel et al, 2008), and ocular impacts with sporting equipment and consumer products Cassen, 1997;Chisholm, 1969;Hecker, 2007;Pardhan et al, 1995;Rodriguez et al, 2003;Thach et al, 1999;Vinger et al, 1997) are common causes of eye injuries. In motor vehicle crashes, severe eye injury can result from impact with an airbag, flying glass, or foam particles from the vehicle's dashboard.…”