Epidemiology of Motor Vehicle Accident-Associated Eye Injuries Presenting to United States Emergency Departments,...

This study investigated the epidemiology of motor vehicle accident (MVA) related eye injuries presenting to the United States (US) emergency departments (EDs) from 2000 to 2020.

The National Electronic Injury Surveillance System - All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP) gathers information from 66 participating US EDs for nonfatal injuries. We queried NEISS-AIP for MVA-related eye injuries from 2000 to 2020, and collected data on diagnosis, mechanism of injury, and patient demographics. Non-ocular injuries were collected from 2018 to 2020. We extrapolated national estimates using the NEISS-AIP weighting system. Rates/10,000 people and 10,000 licensed drivers were calculated using annual US Census and US Department of Transportation data. Case review and analysis was conducted in January 2024.

From 2000 to 2020, an estimated 224,231 (95% confidence interval [CI] 215,247-233,217) MVA-associated eye injuries presented to US EDs. The rate of injuries declined during this period (0.34/10,000 people - 0.27/10,000 people). Males accounted for 62.8% of injuries; most patients were White (47.7%, rate of 5.6/10,000 people), or Black/African American (17.8%, rate of 10/10,000 people). The highest rate of injury per population occurred in American Indian/Alaska Natives (11.3/10,000 people). The highest rates of ED visits were for ages 20-24 years (30,030 cases, CI: [26,791-33,269], rate of 13.5/10,000 people). The leading ocular diagnoses were contusions/abrasions (59.3%). Most patients were treated and discharged (93.9%). Between 2018 and 2020, the leading systemic injury was contusions/abrasions (26%) to the face (estimated 4026, CI: [2942-5110]).

Rates for MVA-related eye injuries decreased from 2000 to 2020. Vulnerable populations including adolescents and American Indian/Alaska Natives remain at increased risk for MVA-related eye injuries.