[Contusion ruptures of the cornea after radial keratotomy]

Eleven cases with corneal ruptures along keratotomic cicatrices after severe contusions are analyzed and one case is described in detail. These cases evidence a high probability of parting of keratotomic incision because of eyeball contusion. Contusion injuries of the eyes previously subjected to radial keratotomy are characterized by extremely severe clinical course and outcomes with poor functional results. Coarse alterations of ocular membranes, observed clinically and morphologically, lead to development of pronounced posttraumatic uveitis. This dictates special care in carrying out primary surgical treatment, massive antiinflammatory and resolving therapy. The outcome of such injuries depends mainly on the number of corneal cicatrices after keratotomy and on the direction of contusion.