Corneal endothelial decompensation due to airbag injury.

PURPOSE: We report a case of localized endothelial decompensation due to airbag deployment during a motor vehicle accident.

CASE REPORT: A middle-aged woman involved in a motor vehicle accident presented with diminution of vision in left eye. Initial ocular examination revealed corneal abrasion, localized central corneal edema and mild anterior chamber reaction. An anterior-segment ocular coherence tomography (AS-OCT) revealed focal paracentral corneal edema. Patient was managed with lubricating eye drops and antibiotic steroid combination. Significant endothelial cell loss compared to right eye was noted on specular examination. At one- month follow-up, visual acuity recovered to 6/6 but the pleomorphism and polymegathism persisted.

CONCLUSION

Airbag-related localized corneal endothelial decompensation is a less known occurrence. This case emphasizes on the fact that serial monitoring of endothelial counts and conservative management can prove beneficial in such scenarios.