Man Narrowly Escapes Brain Injury After Ornament Pierces Eye in Drunken Fall
Drunk Man Impales Eye on Figurine, Narrowly Missing Brain
By Jada Bas | Updated: 14:00 BST, 28 May 2025
A 39-year-old Coventry man suffered a horrific injury after a drunken fall onto a 15cm eagle figurine left the ornament’s wing embedded in his eye socket—mere millimeters from his brain.
The Accident
The man tripped on a rug at home and fell face-first onto his fireplace, where the sharp-edged statuette was displayed. The impact drove the eagle’s wing deep into his right eye. Despite the severity of the injury, he remained conscious and was rushed to the hospital.
Medical Emergency
A CT scan revealed the wing had pierced the eye’s orbital bone, entered his sinus cavity, and stopped just short of his brain. Doctors warned that had the object reached the brain, it could have caused life-threatening bleeding or permanent damage.
Treatment:
- Emergency surgery to remove the figurine.
- Antibiotics and tetanus shots to prevent infection.
- Diagnosis of hyphema, where blood pools in the front of the eye.
Long-Term Consequences
The injury caused significant vision loss in his right eye, reducing his visual acuity to 6/60—classified as legally blind in the UK. At this level, he can see at 6 meters what a person with normal vision sees at 60 meters.
Recovery and Warnings
Doctors reported a "good" recovery given the circumstances but emphasized the risks of blunt trauma. Hyphema, often caused by injuries, can lead to glaucoma, corneal damage, or permanent blindness if untreated.
Key Takeaways:
- Alcohol impairment increases accident risks.
- Sharp decor near common areas poses hidden dangers.
- Immediate medical attention is critical for eye injuries.
The man’s case, documented in Need To Know, underscores how a split-second accident can lead to lifelong repercussions.
Images: CT scan (top), eagle figurine (above).
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