• Grace L Paley, Elizabeth Echalier, Thomas W Eck, Augustine R Hong, Asim V Farooq, Darren G Gregory, and Anthony J Lubniewski.
• *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.
• Cornea. 2016 Jul 1; 35 (7): 1015-8.

PurposeTo report cases of acute globe rupture and bilateral corneal burns from electronic cigarette (EC) explosions.MethodsCase series.ResultsWe 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.ConclusionsGiven 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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