Traumatic Transection of the Optic Nerve and Evulsion of the Eye Globe: Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Purpose: To report a case of traumatic transection of the optic nerve (ON) and evulsion of the eye globe in an adult farm worker caused by cow horn and review of literature. Methods: A 50-year-old male farm worker was attacked by an unprovoked cow. In addition to the subdural hematoma, the cow horn transected the ON and evulsed the patient's left eye resulting in total loss of vision. Results: Patient required evacuation of subdural hematoma and the left eye globe was severed from the remaining attached lateral rectus muscle. Conclusion: Unprovoked severe ocular injuries caused by cow horn are rare. To the best of our knowledge, cow horn caused traumatic transaction of the ON and evulsion of the eye globe has never been reported in ophthalmic literature.

KEYWORDS:

• Cow horn
• eye globe
• evulsion
• optic nerve
• trauma
• vision loss