PURPOSE: To report 3 cases (3 eyes) of globe rupture following blunt trauma
10 to 13 years after radial keratotomy.
METHODS: Cases of traumatic ruptured globe after radial keratotomy were rev
iewed from a tertiary eye care center, One eye underwent therapeutic penetr
ating keratoplasty, the second was treated with a bandage contact lens, and
the third developed retinal detachment leading to phthisis bulbi.
RESULTS: Ruptured globes occurred through the keratotomy incision during ac
tivities of daily living (1 eye), assault (1 eye), and sports (1 eye). Two
eyes regained a visual acuity of 20/30 or better; 1 eye was lost.
CONCLUSION: Traumatic rupture of the cornea can occur more than 10 years af
ter radial keratotomy.