# Ocular injuries associated with motor vehicle accidents: long term effects on quality of life

## TL;DR

This study examines how motor vehicle accidents affect eyes and quality of life, finding most injuries are mild and recovery is generally good.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the prevalence and long-term effects of ocular injuries from motor vehicle accidents.

## Key findings

- Most ocular injuries from motor vehicle accidents are mild and do not significantly affect vision.
- Over half of the injured were drivers, and most wore seat belts or helmets.
- Most patients returned to work and driving within a year after the injury.

## Abstract

To describe the prevalence and outcome of motor vehicle accidents-associated ocular injuries.

A survey of patients who presented to the emergency room at a level 1 trauma center with motor vehicle accidents-associated ocular injuries. A patient questionnaire and review of clinical notes were conducted for all patients.

Of 274 motor vehicle accident victims with ocular injuries who presented to the emergency room, 40 (15%) responded to the survey. Over half of them were driving a vehicle, and most reported wearing a seat belt or a helmet. Most ocular injuries were mild. The most common injuries were bone fractures, subconjunctival hemorrhage, eyelid involvement and corneal injury. Most respondents had no change in vision and perceived their ocular involvement as a minor part of their injury. Most respondents returned to work and to driving within a year.

Our study sheds light on the details and extent of ocular involvement and the visual ability to perform daily activities following motor vehicle accidents.