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Perforating ocular injury by Taser
Author(s) -
Chen Sandy L,
Richard Christen K,
Murthy Raghu C,
Lauer Andreas K
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
clinical and experimental ophthalmology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.3
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1442-9071
pISSN - 1442-6404
DOI - 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2006.01228.x
Subject(s) - medicine , proliferative vitreoretinopathy , retinal detachment , ophthalmology , perforation , visual acuity , eye injuries , retinal , surgery , hyphema , iris (biosensor) , poison control , injury prevention , medical emergency , materials science , computer security , biometrics , computer science , metallurgy , punching
A bstract This report describes the features, treatment and outcome of globe perforation by a Taser dart electrode in a 21‐year‐old man. The Taser electrode caused mechanical iris, lens and retinal injury and consequent retinal detachment as result of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. The effect of electrical stimulation on ocular tissues is unknown. After the scleral and corneal wounds, traumatic cataract and retinal tear were repaired, the patient regained a visual acuity of 6/18. Nine months later a retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy was discovered. The Taser may cause globe perforation and posterior segment injury. Understanding the barbed configuration of the dart electrode is important when extricating this device. Visual recovery is possible despite electric discharge of the Taser and suggests that the mechanism of ocular injury is largely mechanical.