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. METHODS 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 air 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 risk for corneal rupture caused by air bag trauma. These patients may benefit by wearing protective eyewear while driving cars equipped with air bags.