A Nanjing labourer has had a tremendously lucky escape, avoiding the loss of an eye after doctors were successful in removing a nail from a nail gun which was only found behind his eye after it had been stuck there for as many as 3 days.
Recently, a construction worker in Nanjing, only identified as a Mr. Wang, was using a nail gun during the course of his job. At one point, the gun accidently went off. Somewhat incredibly, unbeknownst to him, the nail fired from the gun had lodged itself in Wang’s left eye.
Some 3 days later, Wang found he felt a pain in his head and went to the hospital. The nail was discovered by doctors who were able to remove it without serious consequences, reports The Paper.
Attending Ophthalmologist at Nanjing No.1 Hospital, Dr. Fan Weijie, said the nail fortunately did not penetrate the eye itself, but rather entered through the skin and became lodged in the deep tissue around the eye.
After examining the X-rays of Wang’s skull, Dr. Fan also explained there was the worry of the nail causing damage to the surrounding blood vessels and nerves.
In addition, there could have possibly even been damage to the eyeball itself, while the chance of serious infection to the general area of tissue in this part of Wang’s skull could also not have been ruled out.
The surface of the eye is the most sensitive part of the nerve, and Wang was unbelievably lucky that the nail did not penetrate the surface.
Wang’s eye was only saved by surgeons having the idea to create a tubular pouch under the eye through which the nail could be extracted.
The removed nail was measured to be between 22 and 30 mm in length. It was travelling at the speed of a bullet, added Dr. Fan.
