KGMU Doctors Save Auto Driver's Life and Vision After Shattered Windshield Pierces Eye and Brain

Doctors at King George’s Medical University (KGMU) performed a high-risk surgery to save the life and eyesight of a 30 year old auto driver after a six centimeter glass shard pierced through his left eye and entered his brain.

The accident occurred when the driver’s auto collided with another vehicle, shattering the windshield. A sharp piece of glass lodged deep inside his orbit and penetrated the cranial cavity. He was rushed to KGMU, where doctors quickly assessed the injury and prepared for emergency surgery.

A combined team of neurosurgeons, ophthalmologists, and anesthesiologists carried out the complex procedure.

The surgeons performed a craniotomy to remove the foreign object while ensuring there was no damage made to the optic nerve or major blood vessels.

“The biggest challenge was to extract the glass without causing further harm to the brain or eye,” said one of the neurosurgeons involved.

Doctors removed the shard and repaired the dura in two layers to prevent cerebrospinal fluid leakage. The patient stabilized after the surgery, and his vision was preserved. He is now recovering under observation.

Transorbital penetrating injuries caused by glass are rare and often fatal if not treated immediately. Medical studies note that such injuries carry risks of intracranial hemorrhage, brain abscess, and long-term neurological complications.

A review published in Cureus emphasized that penetrating orbital injuries carry high risks of brain abscess, intracranial hemorrhage, and neurological complications. The study also noted that rapid surgical intervention and a coordinated multidisciplinary approach are crucial for patient survival. ^[1]

KGMU officials said this case highlights the importance of rapid intervention. “This was a life-threatening injury. The coordinated effort by our teams made the difference,” a senior doctor said.

The patient’s family expressed relief after the surgery. They said they had little hope when they first saw the extent of the injury but praised the doctors for saving his life and eyesight.

Doctors have advised long-term recovery as well as follow-up to monitor for possible complications such as infection or delayed neurological issues. For now, the patient shows no signs of deficits and is expected to continue rehabilitation in the coming weeks.

Reference:

1. Mashriqi, Faizullah, Joe Iwanaga, Marios Loukas, Anthony V. D’Antoni, and R. Shane Tubbs. 2017. “Penetrating Orbital Injuries: A Review.” Cureus 9 (9): e1725. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.1725.

(Rh/Eth/ARC/MSM)