Ocular bungee cord injuries

Recent trends have indicated that the home and recreational environment have become the most common settings for bungee cord-related ocular trauma. Bungee cords are commonly used to secure items to automobile rooftops and to bicycle racks. The annual incidence of reported ocular injuries secondary to bungee cords has steadily climbed in recent years, and the frequency of bungee cord-related injuries is likely to continue to grow with the ever increasing popularity of sports such as skiing, bicycling, and windsurfing. The elastic recoil of a bungee cord can generate tremendous force, capable of producing severe blunt and penetrating ocular trauma. Though wearing safety glasses while handling bungee cords would likely eliminate a majority of bungee cord injuries, the public has yet to show that they are willing to wear eye protection during recreational activities that pose a risk of ocular trauma. In addition to educating consumers regarding proper safety techniques, bungee cord manufacturers should consider making alterations in the design of bungee cords to significantly reduce the potential for ocular injuries.