Bungee jumper hurt eyes
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.AN 18-year-old woman was partially blinded after bungee jumping more than 150ft in a charity-sponsored event. Even after three months her sight in one eye remained badly impaired, writes Celia Hall.
Specialists say the woman's sight deteriorated six hours after her jump.
Mr Nabil Habib and Dr Tahira Malik, of the Wolverhampton and Midland Counties Eye Infirmary, found that she suffered a haemorrhage in the sensitive central part of each retina, probably because of a sudden rise in pressure. They warned that if this could happen in the eye, then in might also occur in the brain. But the elation experienced after jumping - which can last for several days - may mask any symptoms.
Writing in tomorrow's edition of the Lancet they say she lost 'central' vision in both eyes. In her right eye she was reduced to being able only to count fingers held before her face, and with her left eye she could only see at 6 metres what a normally sighted person could see at 9 metres.
Mr Habib said that he thought her eyesight would eventually get back to normal. 'Even when people are fit and healthy we think it is important that they are alerted to possible dangers,' he said.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments