Eyelid foreign body mimics an intraocular foreign body on plain orbital radiography

Localization of a foreign body detected on plain orbital radiography may be achieved by comparing radiographs taken with the eyes in upgaze and downgaze. Movement of the foreign body with ocular rotation is considered to indicate localization either within the globe itself or within the soft tissues of the orbit closely related to the globe. A case is reported that demonstrates that this radiologic feature may also occur when a foreign body is located within an eyelid because the position of the eyelids also changes on vertical eye movements. An eyelid foreign body may therefore mimic an intraocular foreign body on plain orbital radiography.