[New views on treatment of intraocular foreign bodies]

The authors evaluated the results of surgery in 130 patients operated at the Second Ophthalmological Clinic in 1983-1989 on account of intraocular foreign bodies. Extraction of the body was successful in 126 patients (96%), the function of the eye was preserved in 102 of 126 extracted foreign bodies (81%), a visual acuity of 0.5 to 1.0 was recorded in 78 eyes (60%). The authors investigated the relationship of functional results on the type, size and site of the intraocular foreign body, the way of extraction, interval between the injury and operation and previous attempted extractions. Analysis of results revealed the advantages of extraction of intraocular foreign bodies under visual control in the majority of foreign bodies. Intraocular foreign bodies are not an indication for immediate but for early operation. After careful treatment of the wound where the foreign body penetrated extraction may be delayed for several days before optimal conditions for surgery are created.