title: Ocular alkali burn associated with automobile air-bag activation.
abstract: Alkali burns of the eye can result in permanent visual impairment and are therefore potentially devastating. Immedicate diagnosis and treatment are essential to a good prognosis. The authors report the case of a 52-year-old woman who suffered alkali keratitis as the result of the activation of an automobile air bag. This type of injury will be seen more frequently as more cars are equipped with air bags and should be suspected in drivers and passengers involved in accidents in which air bags have been activated.
authors.affiliation: Ivey Institute of Ophthalmology, Victoria Hospital, London, Ont.
authors.forename: J E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: McClafferty
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Orton
authors.forename: A C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Tokarewicz
authors.forename: E S
authors.initials: ES
authors.lastname: Nowak
mesh_terms: D017278:Air Bags / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002057:Burns, Chemical / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D002254:Carbonates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002424:Caustics / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005126:Eye Burns / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D002254:Carbonates; D002424:Caustics; C005686:sodium carbonate; D012972:Sodium Hydroxide