Corneal Endothelial Cell Loss Following Airbag Injury

Abstract

Purpose: To report a rare incidence of corneal endothelial cell loss following airbag injury.

Observation: A 27-year-old female who sustained a motor vehicle accident with airbag deployment presented with hand motion vision in the left eye. Ocular examination demonstrated corneal abrasion, significant corneal stromal edema with descemet folds, and a central pachymetry of 999 µm. The patient was managed with topical steroids and antibiotic drops. One week later, specular microscopy revealed a central endothelial cell count of 2200/mm² with pleomorphism, polymegathism, and a decreased central corneal thickness of 569 µm. A repeat of specular microscopy 6 months later showed a decreased central endothelial cell count of 1611/mm² with recovered visual acuity of 20/30.

Conclusion: Corneal endothelial loss is a severe complication of ocular airbag injury. Serial ophthalmic assessment is recommended because endothelial cell loss may continue for some time after the initial impact.

Keywords: Airbag; corneal edema; endothelial decompensation; ocular trauma.