Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 20, 2026
05:19
Modeling Cataract Surgery in Mice
Published on: December 1, 2023
Bilateral cataract following lightning injury
A Gupta1, S Kaliaperumal, S Sengupta
1Department of Ophthalmology, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, Pondicherry, India. arvind_ophthal@yahoo.co.in
European Journal of Ophthalmology
|September 5, 2006
Summary
Lightning can cause delayed vision loss through bilateral cataracts and posterior vitreous detachment, even years after the injury. Ocular complications from lightning strikes require long-term monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Traumatology
Background:
- Lightning strikes are known to cause various systemic and ocular injuries.
- Ocular manifestations can be delayed and may not correlate with the apparent severity of external injury.
Observation:
- A 30-year-old male sustained a lightning injury with scalp impact and foot exit wound.
- The patient developed visually significant bilateral cataracts four years post-injury.
Findings:
- Cataract development was observed years after the initial lightning insult.
- Fundus evaluation post-cataract extraction revealed posterior vitreous detachment.
- Lightning-induced ocular changes, including cataracts and posterior vitreous detachment, can manifest years later.
Implications:
- Ophthalmologists should consider lightning injury in the differential diagnosis of delayed-onset cataracts and posterior vitreous detachment.
- Long-term ocular monitoring is crucial for patients with a history of lightning exposure.
- Lightning-induced posterior vitreous detachment carries a risk of retinal tear and detachment, emphasizing the need for comprehensive eye examinations.
Related Concept Videos
01:22Photoreceptors and Visual Pathways
At the molecular level, visual signals trigger transformations in photopigment molecules, resulting in changes in the photoreceptor cell's membrane potential. The photon's energy level is denoted by its wavelength, with each specific wavelength of visible light associated with a distinct color. The spectral range of visible light, classified as electromagnetic radiation, spans from 380 to 720 nm. Electromagnetic radiation wavelengths exceeding 720 nm fall under the infrared category, whereas...
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
01:28Angle Closure Glaucoma: Treatment
Angle-closure glaucoma, or closed-angle glaucoma, is an eye condition where the iris bulges out and blocks the iridocorneal angle, resulting in a buildup of aqueous humor and increased intraocular pressure. Immediate medical attention is necessary due to the sudden onset of symptoms. The treatment for angle-closure glaucoma includes short-term and long-term approaches. Short-term treatment involves using eye drops like pilocarpine to lower intraocular pressure by increasing aqueous humor...