[Conspicuous crystalline lens foreign body after intravitreal injection]

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Vascular Diseases
• Cataract Surgery

Background:

• Retinal branch vein occlusion and macular edema are common causes of vision loss.
• Ozurdex® (dexamethasone intravitreal implant) is a treatment for macular edema.
• Intraocular foreign bodies can lead to severe complications.

Observation:

• A 63-year-old woman presented with a misplaced Ozurdex® implant within the crystalline lens.
• Recurrent macular edema necessitated multiple Ozurdex® reinjections.
• Advanced cataract formation occurred 11 months after initial presentation.

Findings:

• The inadvertent intraocular placement of Ozurdex® into the lens was diagnosed.
• Phacoemulsification was performed for cataract removal.
• Fibrosis of the capsular defect facilitated uncomplicated intraocular lens (IOL) fixation into the capsular bag.

Implications:

• This case highlights a rare complication of intravitreal injections.
• Capsular fibrosis can positively influence surgical outcomes in complex cases.
• Careful surgical technique is crucial for managing intraocular lens implantation after complicated procedures.