PUNE: A 17-year-old carpenter suffered a severe injury to his left eye in a workplace accident involving an iron nail, highlighting the preventable risks faced by casual workers who often operate without basic safety equipment.According to Dr Sharoon Shitole, managing director and consultant ophthalmologist at Vencer Hospital, the teenager was brought to the hospital on Jan 5 after suffering an eye injury caused by an iron nail. “Medical examination revealed a tear in the left eye’s central cornea, the transparent front portion of the eye.
A central tear is serious as it directly affects the visual axis and can result in internal damage or infection if not treated promptly,” Shitole said.Shitole noted that eye injuries caused by nails and metal fragments are among the most serious occupational hazards, as they can lead to permanent vision loss within minutes. “In such cases, time is critical. Any delay in treatment significantly increases the risk of permanent damage,” he said, stressing that protective eyewear should be mandatory for workers in carpentry, fabrication, and construction.The injured teenager, given the severity of the injury, underwent surgery on Jan 6 for the repair of the corneal tear, along with cataract extraction under local anaesthesia. The patient was discharged the following day with strict instructions regarding medication, eye protection, and follow-up care.Expressing gratitude to the medical team, the boy’s mother said the hospital acted without delay. “We feared he might be referred to a govt hospital. Any delay could have resulted in permanent vision loss. I am grateful to the doctors for acting quickly,” she said.Doctors said the patient remains under close observation, as recovery from such injuries is typically slow.Shitole said the patient has begun to regain partial vision, and the team is monitoring him through scheduled reviews. “We expect him to regain about 50-60% of his vision. Our goal is to maximise healing while preventing complications,” he said.
