Retained anterior chamber cilium causing endophthalmitis after phacoemulsification

An 81-year-old white man had uneventful cataract surgery by an experienced surgeon. Three days postoperatively, he presented with endophthalmitis and was treated in accordance with the standard departmental protocol. During the recovery, a curvilinear foreign body was identified and subsequently removed from the interior anterior chamber. Histological examination confirmed the foreign body as an eyelash. The patient improved to a final corrected visual acuity of 6/9. The relevant literature is reviewed, and ways to prevent this potentially blinding but avoidable complication of intraocular surgery are presented.