Corneal perforation and delayed anterior chamber collapse from a devil's club thorn

Abstract

Purpose: To report the corneal perforation and delayed collapse of the anterior chamber caused by the thorn from a devil's club plant.

Methods: An 8-year-old Alaska Native girl was struck in the eye with the stalk and leaves of a devil's club plant. Although 3 thorns from the plant were found to be lodged superficially in the corneal stroma, 1 was deeply embedded to the level of Descemet's membrane. The thorn was surrounded by a stromal infiltrate. Four days after the injury, the patient suffered a sudden collapse of the anterior chamber after the deeply embedded thorn became dislodged.

Results: The corneal wound was sutured, and the patient had an uneventful postoperative course.

Conclusions: Our experience suggests that devil's club corneal injuries should be examined daily after the initial injury. The anterior chamber may suddenly collapse after a deeply embedded thorn becomes dislodged.