Abnormal electroretinogram and abnormal electrooculogram after lightning-induced ocular injury

PURPOSE: To report a case of abnormal electrooculogram and abnormal electroretinogram after lightning,induced ocular injury. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHODS: A 39-year old man was struck on the left forehead by a bolt of lightning. After resuscitation, he regained consciousness. RESULTS: Ophthalmic examination disclosed a best-corrected visual acuity of right eye (RE): 20/25 and left eye (LE): 20/50, burned eyelashes, punctate keratitis, iridocyclitis, anterior subcapsular tens opacity, missing foveolar reflex, and macular pigment epithelial defect LE. Fluorescein angiography revealed only an area of punctate leaking in the left eye. Electrooculogram showed reduced amplitudes, in the left eye. Arden ratio was RE: 2.04 and LE: 1.52. The amplitudes of scotopic and photopic electroretinogram b-waves were reduced in the left eye. After uneventful cataract surgery in the left eye, the follow-up electrooculogram and electroretinogram still showed reduced amplitude in the left eye. CONCLUSION: Lightning is an uncommon cause of ocular injury. This is the first report of abnormal electrooculogram and abnormal electroretinogram after light, ning,induced ocular injury. (C) 2002 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.