Rick Warren Recovering from Eye Burns
Southern California pastor Rick Warren was hospitalized this week after his eyes were burned with sap from a firestick plant.
Warren's spokesman, A. Larry Ross, said doctors expect him to recover fully.
The incident occurred Monday while Warren, who leads Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., was gardening in his yard. Gardening, Ross, said, is one way the influential pastor unwinds.
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"It's a passion of his," Ross told The Christian Post Thursday, noting that the megachurch pastor often says "If you work with your mind, you need to relax with your hands."
While pruning shrubbery, including firestick plants, Warren wiped sweat off his brow and immediately experienced excruciating pain in his eyes.
"The sap of the firestick plant evidently is poisonous," Ross said.
His wife, Kay, called 911 and Warren was taken to the emergency room for treatment. He remained at the hospital overnight and was released Tuesday.
Warren is currently recovering at home and continuing treatment with protective contacts and healing ointment, Ross said.
The pastor wrote on his Twitter Thursday, "My eyes were severely burned by a toxic poison.Hospitalized Mon.Excruciating pain.Now home.Pray my sight loss is restored."
Though it will take some time for Warren to recover, Ross noted that his sight was well enough on Thursday that he was able to tweet.
