This undated image provided by the New England Journal of Medicine on May 12, 2015 shows a CT scan with a nail in the eye of a patient. Boston doctors removed the nearly 3-inch nail after it hurtled into the eye of a 27-year-old landscaper when he accidentally hit it with a weed-whacking tool. A checkup eight weeks later showed his vision had returned to normal. (AP Photo/New England Journal of Medicine)
A 27-year-old landscaper is one lucky guy: The Boston man escaped with barely a scratch after a nearly 3-inch nail hurtled into his eye when he accidentally hit it with a weed-whacker.
Doctors who removed the nail at Massachusetts General Hospital describe the case in Thursday's New England Journal of Medicine.
It happened about two years ago, and the man wasn't identified.
The nail had not penetrated the globe of the eye but the tip was against major arteries. Doctors made an elaborate plan to operate through his head or neck, but in the end, a doctor was able to simply pull the nail out.
The man recovered full vision. Doctors say the case shows the need to wear goggles when using power tools.
This undated image provided by the New England Journal of Medicine on May 12, 2015 shows a CT scan with a nail in the eye of a patient. Boston doctors removed the nearly 3-inch nail after it hurtled into the eye of a 27-year-old landscaper when he accidentally hit it with a weed-whacking tool. A checkup eight weeks later showed his vision had returned to normal. (AP Photo/New England Journal of Medicine)
Journal information: New England Journal of Medicine
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