Evangelical Christian minister Rick Warren was hospitalized on Monday after suffering serious burns to his eyes. The 56-year-old is the founder and senior pastor at Saddleback Church, and is the best selling author of The Purpose Driven Church and The Purpose Driven Life.
Warren, who delivered the invocation at President Obama’s swearing in ceremony, was wearing gloves while pruning two large firestick plants in his backyard. The succulent contains a milky white sap that can cause blindness – see photo below. When the preacher removed his gardening gloves and wiped his brow, he immediately felt intense burning in both eyes and experienced blindness.
His wife Kay Warren called 911 and paramedics transported her husband to Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo where he was treated by an eye specialist and admitted to the hospital.
Warren spokesman A. Larry Ross said: “The pain was so excruciating the first 24 hours, he couldn’t open his eyes. He suffered a chemical burn to the cornea, which caused temporary impairment of his vision. Warren’s vision has since improved, and although he is still experiencing some discomfort, doctors expect a full recovery.”
The minister ‘tweeted‘: “My eyes were severely burned by a toxic poison. Hospitalized Mon. Excruciating pain. Now home. Pray my sight loss is restored.”
Two hours later Warren ‘tweeted’ again: “Thank you for prayers for my eyes. Another doctor visit this PM. May God use this pain for His Glory. Romans 8:28 “.
His latest ‘tweet’: “A doctor put protective contacts on my corneas as bandages during the healing. I am NOT blind. Thank you.”
Conservative radio and television host Glenn Beck announced this week that he is also suffering from a serious eye condition that may lead to blindness.
View photos and video below: