TWEET: Rick Warren's eyes 'severely burned...excruciating pain'

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LAKE FOREST, Calif. (AP) - Pastor Rick Warren was briefly hospitalized due to an eye-injury that he suffered while gardening at home.

Warren's spokesman Larry Ross said the sap of a firestick plant got into Warren's eyes when he wiped his brow while gardening. The sap can cause temporary blindness, although Ross said Warren can see.

The 56-year-old pastor was treated overnight and released Tuesday from Mission Hospital in Mission Viejo. On Thursday, he sent a message to his Twitter followers asking for their prayers.

"My eyes were severely burned," Warren wrote. "Excruciating pain."

He is expected to make a full recovery.

Warren is the author of the multimillion-selling book "Purpose Driven Life," and founder of Saddleback Church in Lake Forest in Orange County.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.

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From Rick Warren on Twitter:

My eyes were severely burned by a toxic poison.Hospitalized Mon.Excruciating pain.Now home.Pray my sight loss is restored

My eyes were severely burned by a toxic poison.Hospitalized Mon.Excruciating pain.Now home.Pray my sight loss is restored