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Updated: Mar 21, 2026
Corneal Epithelial Abrasion with Ocular Burr As a Model for Cornea Wound Healing
Published on: July 10, 2018
Corneoscleral Laceration and Ocular Burns Caused by Electronic Cigarette Explosions
Grace L Paley1, Elizabeth Echalier, Thomas W Eck
1*Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO; and †Department of Ophthalmology, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Aurora, CO.
Purpose:
To report cases of acute globe rupture and bilateral corneal burns from electronic cigarette (EC) explosions.
Methods:
Case series.
Results:
We describe a series of patients with corneal injury caused by EC explosions. Both patients suffered bilateral corneal burns and decreased visual acuity, and one patient sustained a unilateral corneoscleral laceration with prolapsed iris tissue and hyphema. A review of the scientific literature revealed no prior reported cases of ocular injury secondary to EC explosions; however, multiple media and government agency articles describe fires and explosions involving ECs, including at least 4 with ocular injuries.
Conclusions:
Given these cases and the number of recent media reports, ECs pose a significant public health risk. Users should be warned regarding the possibility of severe injury, including sight-threatening ocular injuries ranging from corneal burns to full-thickness corneoscleral laceration.
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