M E Norman1, B R Younge. 1. Seacoast Ophthalmology, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801, USA.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To report possibly beneficial effects of treatment with high-dose corticosteroids given intravenously to two patients with loss of vision after lightning strikes. DESIGN: Case reports. PARTICIPANTS: Two patients who suffered the effects of a lightning strike. INTERVENTION: High-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (NASCIS-2 Protocol). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vision recovery, pupil responses, and optic nerve appearance. RESULTS: One patient had unilateral ophthalmoscopically visible abnormality with light perception vision and a relative afferent defect in that eye; vision recovered to 20/25. The other patient had no light perception, nonreactive pupils, and normal fundus examinations in both eyes; vision recovered bilaterally to normal (20/20). CONCLUSIONS: High-dose intravenous corticosteroid treatment in these patients may have had a role in their visual recovery.
OBJECTIVE: To report possibly beneficial effects of treatment with high-dose corticosteroids given intravenously to two patients with loss of vision after lightning strikes. DESIGN: Case reports. PARTICIPANTS: Two patients who suffered the effects of a lightning strike. INTERVENTION: High-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (NASCIS-2 Protocol). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Vision recovery, pupil responses, and optic nerve appearance. RESULTS: One patient had unilateral ophthalmoscopically visible abnormality with light perception vision and a relative afferent defect in that eye; vision recovered to 20/25. The other patient had no light perception, nonreactive pupils, and normal fundus examinations in both eyes; vision recovered bilaterally to normal (20/20). CONCLUSIONS: High-dose intravenous corticosteroid treatment in these patients may have had a role in their visual recovery.