Fish-hook injury of the eye

The objective of this case report is to report two cases of fish-hook injury to the eye and ocular adnexa with review of literature. Both patients with fish-hook injuries were professional fishermen. The first subject was hit in his right eye by a hook which became embedded in the right cornea. He cut off the line but made no attempt to remove the hook and presented to the emergency department with the hook hanging from his right eye. Under general anaesthesia, the hook was rotated out without causing any further damage to the cornea and intraocular structures. The second subject was reeling the hook back to shore when it hit him in the face and embedded itself in the upper eyelid. He was immediately taken to the emergency department and after careful examination the eye was found to be unharmed and the hook was removed through a small incision under local anaesthesia. Fish-hook injuries, though rare, can result in visual morbidity. The hook should be removed under careful examination using the correct technique. The shaft of the hook should be left long and no attempt should be made by the subject or any non-trained person to remove it as doing so can result in further damage.