An electrician from California was electrocuted with 14,000 volts of electricity! In addition to his miraculous recovery, he developed a cataract in his eye that was star shaped.
The normal lens of the human eye is clear. However, a cataract makes the lens cloudy, causing a distorted vision. In this case, the man developed a star-shaped cataract.
Why a star-shaped cataract?
The patient’s shoulder came in contact with a damaged wire, which caused an electric current to pass through his body. Unfortunately, this current damaged the optic nerve, which carries visual stimuli from your eye to the brain. Although, it was still unclear why the cataract becomes star-shaped.
“The optic nerve is similar to any wire that conducts electricity. In this case, the extreme current and voltage that passed through this important natural wire caused damage to the optic nerve itself.”
DR. BOBBY KORN, AN ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF CLINICAL OPHTHALMOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, SAN DIEGO, WHO TREATED THE PATIENT.
Diagnosis
The patient presented with vision problems 4 weeks after the incident occurred. This is when Dr. Korn visualized the star-shaped cataracts in his eyes.
Treatment
The doctors treated the patient via surgery. This surgery included the removal of the clouded lens. Moreover, they replaced it with a new one. His vision improved but was not restored completely. This incomplete restoration of his vision was due to extensive damage to the optic nerve.
“The eye is like a camera. if the lens is damaged, it can be replaced with a new one, but if the “film” — in this case, the optic nerve and retina — is damaged, then you’ll never get a good picture”
Dr. Korn
Prognosis: where is he now?
10 years after the accident, he has decreased vision in both eyes. Fortunately, he is able to use public transport and even studies in a community college nearby!
