Perforating ocular injury by Taser

  1. Sandy L Chen MD1,2,
  2. Christen K Richard MD1,2,
  3. Raghu C Murthy MD1,2,
  4. Andreas K Lauer MD1,2

Article first published online: 8 JUN 2006

DOI: 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2006.01228.x

Issue

Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology

Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology

Volume 34, Issue 4, pages 378–380, May 2006

Additional Information

How to Cite

Chen, S. L., Richard, C. K., Murthy, R. C. and Lauer, A. K. (2006), Perforating ocular injury by Taser. Clinical & Experimental Ophthalmology, 34: 378–380. doi: 10.1111/j.1442-9071.2006.01228.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, and

  2. 2

    Devers Eye Institute, Legacy Hospitals, Portland, Oregon, USA

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 8 JUN 2006
  2. Article first published online: 8 JUN 2006
  3. Received 26 June 2005; accepted 10 October 2005.

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Keywords:

  • eye;
  • ocular injury;
  • Taser;
  • trauma;
  • perforating

Abstract

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.

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