Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 30, 2026
11:28
A Coupled Experiment-finite Element Modeling Methodology for Assessing High Strain Rate Mechanical Response of Soft Biomaterials
Published on: May 18, 2015
Serious eye injuries caused by bottles containing carbonated drinks
1University of Alabama at Birmingham, and American Society of Ocular Trauma, 1201 11th Avenue South, Suite 300, Birmingham, AL 35205, USA. fkuhn@mindspring.com
The British Journal of Ophthalmology
|December 25, 2003
Summary
Serious eye injuries from pressurized drink bottles are rare but can cause permanent blindness. Champagne corks are a significant cause, especially in Hungary, highlighting the need for preventative measures like warning labels.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Trauma Surgery
- Public Health
Background:
- Pressurized beverage bottles pose a risk of serious eye injuries.
- Bottle-related eye trauma incidence and etiology vary geographically.
- Champagne corks are a notable cause of ocular injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the incidence and causes of serious eye injuries.
- To investigate injuries resulting from bottles containing pressurized drinks.
- To compare injury patterns across different countries.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of eye injury registries.
- Analysis of data from the United States, Hungary, and Mexico.
- Categorization of injuries by bottle type and agent.
Main Results:
- 90 out of 12,889 injuries (0.7%) were bottle-related.
- Incidence varied: 0.3% (US), 3.1% (Hungary), 0.9% (Mexico).
- Champagne corks caused 20% (US), 71% (Hungary), and 0% (Mexico) of injuries. 26% of affected eyes resulted in legal blindness.
Conclusions:
- Warning labels on champagne bottles may reduce cork-related eye injuries.
- The use of plastic bottles and caps can mitigate injury risks.
- Geographic variations in bottle types and usage influence injury patterns.
Related Concept Videos
01:17Accessory Structures of the Eye
Optical perception, or vision, is an extraordinary sense dependent on converting light signals received via the ocular organs. These organs, known as eyes, are securely positioned within the bony cavities of the skull, called orbits. The orbits serve a dual purpose: a protective shield for the ocular globes and a stable attachment point for the soft ocular tissues. The eye's external protective mechanisms include the eyelids, which are edged with lashes that act as a barrier against foreign...
01:24Flail Chest-I
Overview of Flail Chest
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
Flail chest is a severe and potentially life-threatening condition characterized by the fracture of three or more adjacent ribs in multiple places. It is most commonly caused by direct impacts and trauma, such as motor vehicle accidents or injuries from a steering wheel impact. It can also occur due to falls in elderly individuals with osteoporosis, or assaults involving sharp objects.
Pathophysiology
The pathophysiology of flail chest is complex, involving fractures of...
01:29Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology
A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
01:28Traumatic Brain Injury l: Introduction
DefinitionTraumatic brain injury, or TBI, is a disturbance of normal brain function induced by an external mechanical force, such as a direct blow to the head or a penetrating injury. It can affect both brain structure and function, producing a wide range of clinical outcomes. TBI is a heterogeneous condition, meaning its effects may differ based on the type, location, and severity of the injury.Basis of ClassificationTBI is classified based on severity, injury mechanism, or pathophysiology. In...
01:14Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction
Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...
01:22Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...