Lightning maculopathy. A case report.

Abstract

Lightning can cause a number of ocular complications. A case involving a patient who developed a cataract and reversible maculopathy in both eyes after being struck by lightning is reported. The patient was evaluated for cataract and macular edema by ophthalmoscopic examination, fluorescein angiography, and potential acuity meter. Maculopathy developed that was characterized initially by a retinal cyst with surrounding edema. Later, the lesions evolved to simulate a full-thickness hole. These lesions subsequently resolved, and the patient's visual acuity improved to 20/20 in each eye after cataract extraction. Because the visual prognosis for lightning-induced maculopathy is potentially different than that for full-thickness macular holes, careful retinal examination is essential in the preoperative workup.