Bilateral Cataract following Lightning Injury

Abstract

Purpose

To report a case of bilateral cataract with posterior vitreous detachment induced by lightning injury.

Methods

A case report of 30 year old man injured by lightning.

Results

The patient developed visually significant bilateral cataract after four years of the initial insult on the scalp. The exit wound was noted on the right foot. Fundus evaluation after cataract extraction revealed posterior vitreous detachment.

Conclusions

Lightning can induce various ocular complications. Decrease in vision due to cataract is usually seen years after the initial lightning injury as the initial changes are in the mid-periphery and often missed in the acute setting. Posterior vitreous detachment induced by lightning can rarely lead to retinal tear formation and subsequently retinal detachment. The severity of entry and exit may not give a true picture of the internal organ damage.