Ocular Trauma · Intraocular foreign body

Ncct orbit showing intraocular metallic foreign body

OFBs can cause perforating or penetrating open globe injuries. The visual prognosis depends on the zone of injury, type and size of foreign body and the subsequent complications. Increased awareness about eye protection, improved surgical techniques, and advancements in bioengineering are responsible for an improved outcome in injuries with IOFB. FBs can cause direct damage via entry into the eye but can also ricochet in the eye causing further damage. Subsequent damage depends on the composition of IOFB. For example, iron or copper FBs can cause siderosis bulbi or chalcosis, respectively. Inert substances such as glass, stone, and plastic are better tolerated than metals such as copper or iron. Metallic and magnetic objects are the most common IOFBs. Organic material such as vegetable matter or cilia cause severe tissue reaction, are highly contaminated, and associated with a significant risk of endophthalmitis. In addition, the mechanism of entry and size of the object are also factors in extent of injury. Foreign bodies entering the sclera usually cause more damage than those entering the cornea. High-speed, small FBs will cause a small linear laceration that is less damaging than blunt trauma. Large irregular IOFBs, however, can cause significant initial damage.

Contributed byDr. Sahil KumarResident, Na

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