Corneal metallic foreign body injuries due to suboptimal ocular protection

Retrospective review of 100 consecutive presentations of metallic corneal foreign body to the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital emergency department was undertaken between November and December 2009. The majority of the patients (97%) were male with a mean age of 42 ± 13 years (range 19-73 years). The most common mode of injury was grinding (88%). Nearly half (45%) of patients were wearing "safety eye wear" at the time of injury. Combination of 25-gauge needle and burr was the commonest method employed for removal of foreign body. Overall, 88% (n = 88) cases healed with corneal scar at the site of corneal foreign body and 1 case developed bacterial keratitis. Metallic corneal foreign bodies are common presentations to the emergency department and may be related to inadequate implementation of occupational safety measures.