Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography in Lightning-induced Maculopathy

Abstract

The authors report a case of lightning-induced chorioretinal burn accompanied by mild anterior segment injuries. Spectral-domain optical coherence tomography images were used to document the progressive retinal and choroidal changes. As evidenced by this report, despite being sight-threatening, such injuries may allow for a significant functional recovery.

Lightning injuries of the posterior segment of the eye

“…Of the 19 case reports in 17 articles from 1984 to 2019 [ Table 1 ], the majority (53%, n = 10) of the articles were from North America, followed by 26% ( n = 5) from Europe and 21% ( n = 4) from Asia. [ 4 7 10 15 16 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 ]…”

“…OCT analysis of the macula was done in five case reports of lightning injuries. [ 15 37 38 40 41 ] OCT helps in the accurate diagnosis and follow-up of CME, MHs, serous macular detachment, RPE atrophy, and foveal thinning and thereby helps in determining the visual prognosis. Armstrong et al [ 15 ] described the evolution of lighting maculopathy using OCT.…”

Clinical Photic Retinopathy: Mechanisms, Manifestations, and Misperceptions

“…8b), but welding arc damage can also extend beyond the foveola [174,214,[216][217][218][219]. Similar injuries can be caused by viewing brilliant light from an electrical flash [220], lightning [221,222], or plasma produced by a femtosecond laser [223,224].…”