Association of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone with reversal of blindness from lightning in two patients.
OBJECTIVE
To report possibly beneficial effects of treatment with high-dose corticosteroids given intravenously to two patients with loss of vision after lightning strikes.


METHODS
Case reports.


METHODS
Two patients who suffered the effects of a lightning strike.


METHODS
High-dose intravenous methylprednisolone (NASCIS-2 Protocol).


METHODS
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.
Norman
M E
ME
Seacoast Ophthalmology, Portsmouth, New Hampshire 03801, USA.
Younge
B R
BR
D000328:Adult; D001766:Blindness / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D015168:Lightning Injuries / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009900:Optic Nerve / Q000502:physiology; D011680:Pupil / Q000502:physiology; D011681:Pupil Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions; D008775:Methylprednisolone