Epidemiology of Motor Vehicle Accident-Associated Eye Injuries Presenting to United States Emergency Departments, 2000-2020.

Purpose: 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.

Methods: 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.

Results: 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]).

Conclusion: 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.