AIR BAG-RELATED CORNEAL RUPTURE AFTER RADIAL KERATOTOMY

PURPOSE: We studied a case of air bag-associated corneal rupture in a patient who had previously undergone radial keratotomy surgery. METHOD S: The patient was struck in the right eye when his driver's side air bag inflated during a low-speed collision. RESULTS: Inflation of the a ir bag resulted in rupture of the patient's right cornea, The rupture involved all but one of his old radial keratotomy wounds. CONCLUSIONS: Patients who have undergone radial keratotomy may be at increased ris k for corneal rupture caused by air bag trauma. These patients may ben efit by wearing protective eyewear while driving cars equipped with ai r bags.