Visual outcome following intraocular foreign bodies: a retrospective review of 5-year clinical experience

To determine the main prognostic factors related to final visual acuity (VA) after intraocular ocular foreign body (IOFB) extraction.

We performed a retrospective chart review of 80 patients (84 eyes) who underwent surgical removal of IOFBs and repair of associated ocular trauma. Data on age, gender, presenting clinical features, characteristics of IOFB, complications, interval between time of injury and IOFB removal, and final VA were recorded and analyzed.

Male adults were the major population affected by IOFBs. Improved vision outcome was obtained after the removal of IOFBs and surgical repair of the eyes (p=0.011). Factors showing statistical association with final VA included initial VA (p=0.000), size of IOFB (p=0.010), IOFB location inside the eye (p=0.000), and preoperative retinal detachment (p=0.011). Factors showing no statistical association with final VA included nature of IOFB (p=0.445), entrance wound location, other IOFB-related complications (such as cataract, vitreous hemorrhage, secondary glaucoma, hyphema, endophthalmitis, siderosis, and atrophia bulbi), and interval between injury and IOFB removal.

Prognostic factors for poor final VA related to IOFBs included poor initial VA, large IOFB size, posterior segment location, and preoperative retinal detachment.