[Comparative studies in chronic ocular chalcosis]

Seven eyes containing a copper foreign body for a period from 8 months to 2.5 years were studied histopathologically. Foreign bodies, containing 99% copper, were in all eyes, encapsulated and located in the anterior vitreous. Characteristic features were: formation of foreign body granuloma, especially in later stages, marked fibroblastic proliferation in the vitreous with traction retinal detachment, choroidal effusion with fibrosis and foci of chronic nongranulomatous inflammation in cyclitic membranes, iris, ciliary body and sclera. Copper could be identified by rubeanic acid and rhodanine stainings in the fibrous capsule around foreign body in all eyes, in the lens capsule in one eye and in macrophages in the vitreous and retina in 2 eyes. In eyes with intravitreal haemorrhage macrophages contained also haemosiderin.