Bilateral maculopathy and cataracts secondary to an accidental high-voltage electrical discharge

Abstract

The aim of the study was to describe the ocular findings following an accidental high-voltage electrical discharge. A 32-year-old male suffered an accidental electric discharge of 10,000 volts of direct current. He developed cortical, nuclear, and posterior subcapsular opacities in both the eyes. The retinal examination showed bilateral macular cysts. Four months after the event, the macular cyst in the OD spontaneously regressed without visual improvement. The macular cyst in the OS remained unchanged. High-voltage electrical discharge can lead to bilateral maculopathy and cataracts. The visual prognosis is reserved. The visual acuity may not improve despite macular cyst regression.

Keywords

• burns
• electric shock
• electric shock maculopathy
• lightning maculopathy
• macular hole